It’s common to hear woodworkers lament that they don’t like finishing because they are afraid of ruining their woodworking project. So the following is an important point to keep in mind: The only thing you can do in finishing that can’t be fixed fairly easily is to...
finish
TIP: Rubbing vs. Using a Satin Finish
There are two ways to get a satin (matte) finish—that is, a finish with less shine and reflection than gloss: rub the finish with abrasives or use a finish that contains flatting agents. There are pros and cons to each. The easier of the two, by far, is to use a...
TIP: Water-Based Finish on White Woods
There are a number of considerations when choosing the type of finish you want to use. These include durability, ease of clean-up, odor, etc. But one consideration doesn’t seem to be fully appreciated, and that is the color the finish imparts to the wood. The...
TIP: How to Lighten an Oil Stain
Say you stain an object with a store-bought oil (“wiping”) stain and the color is too dark. Assuming you haven’t yet applied a finish, how do you lighten it? Most importantly, don’t sand. Whatever you do, you have to do the same everywhere to keep the color even, and...
TIP: Finishing Oily Woods
Many tropical woods, with the notable exception of mahogany, contain an oily resin that causes oil and varnish finishes to not dry well. The oily resin gets into the finish and keeps the finish molecules from hitting each other and crosslinking. The resin acts like...
Asphaltum, A Forgotten Finishing Gem!
Many years ago, back when the dinosaurs roamed the earth, I had the privilege of working with two older gentleman in Charleston, South Carolina. Their forte was antique restoration as well as creating reproductions of the same. They went by the names of Jim and Bob,...
This Month, Nine Experts for the Price of One
Looking back over our recent articles, we thought we’d celebrate some great ideas, hot tips, and super stories from our Finishing Experts. Read, learn and enjoy! 1.Glen Huey on Shellac: The lack of respect for shellac may be due to the fact that it, a natural resin,...
TIP: Testing Your Finish for Hardness
You can use architect’s pencils to test for finish hardness (scratch resistance). The lead in these pencils is rated from about 6 or 7B, the softest, to 6 or 7H, the hardest. HB is in the middle. You don’t need to buy all these pencils, just the middle five or six,...
TIP: Conversion Varnish Application Issues
Conversion varnish, also called catalyzed varnish, is the most protective and durable finish commonly available to amateurs and small shops. In industry it is often used on office furniture and kitchen cabinets. The finish is supplied in two parts: the finish itself,...
Minimal Finish Odor
If you want as little finish smell as possible—for example, on cabinets in a house or office that is occupied, or on the inside of a box or chest—there are two finishes to choose between: water-based finish and shellac. Other finishes, including oils, varnishes and...