Popular Woodworking Magazine » Bob Flexner

The Trouble with VOC-compliant Finishes

Matthew Teague — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:34:26 +0000

When it comes to finish, I want something that is easy to apply, offers a little protection and doesn’t require spray equipment. And once I find a finish I like, I tend to be pretty loyal. I used Minwax’s Antique Oil Finish almost exclusively before a friend turned me on to Waterlox Original Sealer/Finish about … Read more »

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Flexner on Finishing: Alternative Paint Strippers

Article Index — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:30:53 +0000

Safer Strippers are having a 'green' revival.by Bob Flexner Pages 58-60From the April 2012 Issue, # 196Methods for removing old paint and finish from furniture have gone through at least four distinct periods.Before solvents became widely available, coatings were removed by scraping, often with glass used like we use scrapers, and sometimes by sanding, after sandpaper became available.(Heat and caustics such as lye have never been a good idea for furniture because they can lift veneer and separate joints. Also, lye will turn most hardwoods black.)Article: Read Bob Flexner’s article on refinishing from the August 2011 issue. In our store: “Flexner on Finishing” – 12 years of updated columns illustrated with beautiful full-color images. To buy: Get Bob Flexner’s new book, “Wood Finishing 101.” Read more »

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Flexner on Finishing: ‘Green’ Solvents

Article Index — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 05:30:37 +0000

These environmentally friendly products are surprisingly effective.By Bob Flexner Pages: 60-62From the February 2012 issue #195 Buy the issue now.The three primary solvents we use in wood finishing are paint thinner (mineral spirits), lacquer thinner and denatured alcohol. Paint thinner thins and cleans up oils, oil stains and varnishes, including oil-based polyurethane. Lacquer thinner thins and cleans up lacquers and lacquer stains. Denatured alcohol dissolves, thins and cleans up shellac.ARTICLES: We have many finishing articles available free online. IN OUR STORE: “Flexner on Finishing” – 12 years of updated columns illustrated with beautiful full-color images. Read more »

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Wood Finishing 101 – The Step-by-Step Guide

Ajax Alexandre — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 05:00:49 +0000

Here’s a great gift idea! Save 31 percent on Flexner’s latest must-have book on finishing. Wood finishing doesn’t have to be complicated or confusing. It can be “boiled down” to simple step-by-step instructions. And that’s what this book offers; no science, no art, just easily-to-follow directions with lots of pictures to show you every step … Read more »

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Flexner on Finishing: French Polishing Myths

Article Index — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 19:35:36 +0000

Linen and more.By Bob Flexner Pages: 60-62From the December 2011 issue #194 Buy the issue nowThree times in the last year, articles have appeared in major woodworking magazines instructing readers to use linen for the outer cloth in a French polishing pad. No explanation, just the instruction. This brought back memories from 30 years ago of my running all over town searching unsuccessfully for linen because I had just read the same instruction: Linen is “best.”TO BUY: Get Bob Flexner’s new comprehensive book, “Flexner on Finishing.” IN OUR STORE: Get Bob Flexner’s latest book (perfect for those who are new to finishing): “Wood Finishing 101.” Read more »

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Wiping Varnish – What is it?

Bob Flexner — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 19:33:09 +0000

Wiping varnish is simply any brand of oil-based alkyd (regular) varnish or oil-based polyurethane varnish in any sheen (gloss or satin) thinned about half with mineral spirits (paint thinner). Rules for Application ■ Wipe or brush on the wood and ■ Wipe off all the excess; or ■ Brush off some or most of the … Read more »

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Wiping Varnish

Article Index — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 16:27:58 +0000

An excellent finish for first timers (and beyond).By Bob Flexner Pages: 50-55From the November 2011 issue #193 Buy this issue nowWiping varnish is the finish I recommend you use if you are finishing for the first time. Wiping varnish is a term I coined in 1990 to categorize a large number of very popular fi nishes that are sold individually under many different names but are actually all the same –oil-based alkyd or polyurethane varnish thinned about half with mineral spirits (paint thinner). Collecting them into a category removes the mystique manufacturers attempt to create and it makes the finish easier to understand. It also allows us to discuss uniform application procedures that apply to all brands.ARTICLE: What is wiping varnish, exactly? Let Bob tell you. ARTICLES: For more finishing advice and techniques for all skill levels, visit the finishing section on our web site. TO BUY: “Wood Finishing 101,” from which this piece is excerpted. Read more »

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Flexner on Finishing: Odds & Ends

Article Index — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 14:17:18 +0000

Four short (but crucial) finishing subjects.By Bob Flexner Pages: 58-60From the October 2011 issue #192 Buy the issue nowWhat follows are four concise – but important – finishing topics about which you’ve likely wondered. 1 – Metamerism Most of us have experienced a situation where we finish a project in our shop or garage to the exact color we want, only to discover that the color isn’t right when we move the project into the house (or to a client’s location). The explanation is the phenomenon of “metamerism.” The lighting is different in the two locations.ARTICLES: You’ll find many finishing articles free on our web site. TO BUY: Get Bob Flexner’s new, comprehensive book, “Flexner on Finishing.” TO BUY: If you don’t have any finishing experience, you need Bob’s latest book, “Wood Finishing 101.”From the October 2011 issue #192 Buy the issue now Read more »

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Finishing for the Rest of Us

Christopher Schwarz — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 04:10:59 +0000

Here’s some tough love: Most good woodworkers are terrible finishers. I know this because I have seen hundreds – probably thousands – of pieces of furniture that have been entered in competitions or in juried shows during the last 15 years. And while the design, wood selection and joinery might be excellent, the finish is … Read more »

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Flexner on Finishing: Refinishing Furniture

Bob Flexner — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 15:56:19 +0000

Repair, strip and refinish to restore old pieces.By Bob Flexner Pages: 58-60From the August 2011 issue #191 Buy this issue now Refinishing is a topic worthy of an entire book. In fact, restoring furniture includes all of woodworking and finishing because all skills may be called into play. In lieu of a book, here are some not-so-random thoughts. ARTICLES: We have many finishing articles available on our web site, free. ARTICLE: Furniture prior to World War II was constructed using hot hide glue. Read our recipe for “Liquid Hide Glue.” TO BUY: Get Bob Flexner’s new book, “Flexner on Finishing.” Read more »

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