As I’ve explained many times in Popular Woodworking, you can achieve a near-perfect finish using a rag or brush: You can apply a wipe-on/wipe-off finish such as oil, wiping varnish or gel [...]
‘Teak oil’ is whatever a manufacturer chooses to put in the container. by Bob Flexner page 38 No wood finish illustrates better than “teak oil” why finishing is so confusing. Brands vary from [...]
Many woodworkers are confused about sealers and sealing. Here are the facts. By Bob Flexner Pages: 86-87 From the June 2004 issue #141 Buy this issue now From the June 2004 issue #141 Buy this [...]
Forget wood conditioner and go for gel stain. By Bob Flexner Pages: 94-95 From the April 2004 issue #140 Buy this issue now You’ve heard me say this before, and I’m sure you’ll hear me say it [...]
Although a poor finish when used alone, wax excels as a polish. By Bob Flexner Pages: 100-101 From the February 2004 issue #139 Buy this issue now Wax has been used for centuries as a finish and [...]
Avoid problems and lengthen the life of your tool with two simple acts. By Bob Flexner Pages: 98-99 As with any tool, a properly working spray gun is a joy to use. On the other hand, one that [...]
Its durability and ease of use make searching out this hard-to-identify finish worth it. By Bob Flexner Pages: 70-75 From the November 2005 issue #151 Buy this issue now Of all finishes [...]
Contradictory finishing information is frustrating. Here we clear up one example. By Bob Flexner Pages: 110-111 From the October 2005 issue #150 Buy this issue now Each month Popular Woodworking [...]
Remove common surface problems with minimal damage to the finish. By Bob Flexner Pages: 86-87 From the August 2005 issue #149 Buy this issue now Cleaning the finish on furniture can involve more [...]
Despite their names, many of your finishing products simply are a form of varnish. By Bob Flexner Pages: 90-92 From the June 2005 issue #148 Buy this issue now You are surely familiar with [...]
If the scratch isn’t deep, the fix isn’t difficult. By Bob Flexner Pages: 98-99 From the February 2005 issue #146 Buy this issue now Even if you aren’t a professional woodworker, you probably get [...]