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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 [...]

Solutions to a baker’s dozen of common finishing difficulties.

by Bob Flexner pages 58-60

It’s easy enough to provide instructions for applying finishes. But in the real [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

Understanding how sheen works allows you to control the gloss on your finishes. By Bob Flexner Pages: 90-91 From the October 2006 issue #157 Buy this issue now One of the most important qualities [...]