Brush a Tabletop
Get Great Results without Rubbing Out Maybe I’m crazy, but I like to brush polyurethane. I’ve built more than 50 dining room tables, and I’ve brush-finished every one, using a simple system that [...]
Restore a Round Oak Table
Thoughtful finishing and new leaves prepare this classic for the next 100 years. This old table looks like a prime candidate for refinishing. Scrub off the old finish, sand out all the dings and [...]
Use Light To Spot Finish Imperfections
Nobody likes wrapping up the last bit of finishing on a project and suddenly catching a run or imperfection you missed earlier. You can either ignore it, or more likely sand it down and fix the [...]
Wood Finishing Basics
Understand the fundamentals. A wood finish is a clear, transparent coating applied to wood to protect it from moisture and to make it look richer and deeper. This differs from paint, which is a [...]
Finish Compatibility
Discover what finishing products work well together. I’m sure you’ve come across cautions in woodworking books and magazines instructing you to “use a compatible product” – stain, filler, glaze, [...]
The 7 Myths of Polyurethane
All levels of finishing are burdened with myths, but the types of finishes used by amateurs and sold in home centers and woodworking stores suffer the most. Myths about polyurethane are a good [...]
Did Your Finish Turn to Gel? Get Bloxygen
Adding finish to a project is one of the most rewarding parts of building something. As I’ve been finishing up the trim work in my kitchen remodel (lots of cherry), I was reminded of just how [...]
No-Finish Look, Poly Protection
Tool: Ultimate Matte Finish Polyurethane Manufacturer: Rust-Oleum So you want the look of raw wood and excellent protection against spills and scratches? Until recently, that request might have [...]
Finishing For Beginners
Years ago I remember teaching a class about finishing that included one student who said he had never used a stain or finish, and to make matters worse, he had never even painted anything. This [...]
How to Properly Spray Under-Sink Door and Drawer Edges
Learn how to prevent the finish from peeling at the edges of your under-sink kitchen cabinets. Proper spraying technique is key to protecting your door and drawer edges.
Q & A: Water-Based vs. Oil-Based Polyurethane
If you’re looking purely at durability, then an oil-based polyurethane is still superior, but only marginally.
Q & A: Make New Varnish Look Old
The solution is to tint the new finish with dye. Varnish yellows with age and that’s the reason your newly finished drawer doesn’t match the old.
