General Wood Finishing at WOODWEB's Knowledge Base

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Guitar Finishes

It's hard to tell, it's hard to tell, when all your love's in vain. May 17, 2005

What's a Tough Top Coat Over Tung Oil?

Tung oil gives a deep, rich tone to fine wood. But how do you protect it from occasional water spills? March 30, 2008

Effective and User-Friendly "Green" Finish Coatings

For quality and environmental benefits, tung oil is hard to beat. But this thread includes other suggestions, along with some valuable discussion. April 21, 2008

Black Finish for a Maple Floor

Black belt finishers display their chops on an unusual problem: staining a maple floor black. No pain, no gain ... April 21, 2008

Catalyzed Versus Uncatalyzed Lacquers

An extended discussion of the chemistry, attributes, and performance of catalyzed lacquers compared to traditional uncatalyzed nitrocellulose lacquer. April 21, 2008

Matching Natural Maple Finish to Existing Yellowing Cabinets

Thoughts on how to make a new finish match an existing lacquer coating that has yellowed over time. April 21, 2008

Pros and Cons of Waterborne Finishes

Here's a long discussion of reasons to prefer waterborne finishes (or not). March 29, 2008

Troubleshooting Veneer Cracking After Finish Application

A case of veneer checking leads to an extended discussion of adhesive choice for veneer layups. March 30, 2008

Filling Joints and Nail Holes

Advice on choosing a wood filler, and a discussion about whether filling certain holes and cracks is worth the trouble. March 29, 2008

Spray Quality Issues, Sandpaper Choice, and Inter-Coat Adhesion

A finisher has concerns about both the off-the-gun quality of his base coat, and the possible problems created by his sandpaper selection. Colleagues straighten him out on both counts. March 30, 2008

UV-Cured Finishes for Fast Production

Ultraviolet-curing finishes may be the best answer for high volume with low emissions and quick turnaround. March 30, 2008

Matching a Satin Nickel Finish

Suggestions for how to finish a wood mirror frame to match nearby brushed nickel faucets. March 30, 2008

Balancing a Table Top

Balancing the veneers, the finishes, and the construction sequence will help keep the table flat. March 30, 2008

Spraying Face Frames

Quick hints on spraygun handling techniques to achieve an even coating on face frames. March 29, 2008

Bar Top Finishes

Here's some practical info on using two-component polyurethane or epoxy bar-top finishes. April 10, 2008

Repairing Humidifier Damage

Working from a photo, finishers make educated guesses about moisture damage to what looks like an old shellac finish. April 10, 2008

Hard or Soft Maple for Stained Cabinets?

Thoughts on choosing Maple for cabinet frames, and on staining versus applying dye and toner. April 9, 2008

Troubleshooting "Hiccups" with an Air-Assisted Airless Gun

Woodweb comes to the rescue again, diagnosing a finisher's spraygun malfunction and saving him a bundle of cash. April 10, 2008

Whether to Finish Hidden Cabinet Ends

Cabinetmakers discuss whether to finish the ends of cabinets that abut slide-in appliances. April 9, 2008

Metallic Finishes on Wood

Woodworkers pursue some out-there metallic finish looks, using products from the automotive finishing world. April 10, 2008

Finish Cracks at Joints in a Five-Piece Door

Wood movement causes inevitable finish cracking at joints in cabinet doors. Here's advice on how to allow for it. April 10, 2008

Establishing the Recoat Window for Pre-Cat Finishes

A lacquer thinner test could help you establish how much time can elapse between coats before you need to sand for good adhesion. April 10, 2008

Avoiding Overspray Problems Inside Small Cabinet Boxes

Small boxes such as cubbyholes present an overspray concern. Here are some tips. April 10, 2008

Clear Filler for Worm Tracks

Advice on clear filler for wormholes in an old walnut piece with character. April 10, 2008

Tinted Filler for Engravings Before Finishing

Epoxy or polyester filler can both be tinted. April 10, 2008

NGR Color Shift Caused by Stain Coats

A sealer between the dye coat and the stain coat will help keep NGR dyes from changing color on you. April 10, 2008

Financial Success in Woodworking

Philosophies and turning points on the path to $100K a year. January 6, 2005

Polyester finishing techniques

Achieving the perfect, better-than-piano finish with pariffinated polyester. May 9, 2001

Troubleshooting a Conversion Varnish Failure

What caused the bad crazing? Bad formula, bad moisture control, and early re-coating are all suspects. March 17, 2005

Finding Good Finishing Help

Tactics for attracting finishers, perhaps the industry's most difficult "get." December 26, 2004

Lacquer Drying Too Fast

Ambient temperatures and heat from the air turbine may be the reason this finisher's lacquer is drying almost instantly. Here's an extended discussion of tweaking equipment and formulas to moderate the drying time. September 26, 2006

Choosing an HVLP System

Selecting the proper size and quality system for your shop. October 21, 2004

Gravity spray guns

Are these suitable for the small shop, or is there a better choice? September 25, 2002

Exterior Wood Finish Maintenance

This long discussion starts with a question about maintaining the finish on a beautiful outdoor wood gate, and continues into a detailed examination of the difficult durability issues with exterior clear finishes. January 14, 2008

Glazing Advice for a High-Volume Shop

Pros give tips on formulating glazes, simplifying the process, and pacing the work. March 18, 2005

Problems spraying conversion varnish

Troubleshooting cleanup and viscosity/load problems. September 2, 2002

Toner for a Poplar Cabinet

A customer changes her mind, and a cabinetmaker needs to apply a stain finish instead of paint — to a poplar cabinet. Pros chime in with detailed recommendations and explanations for a very challenging toner application. May 17, 2005

Troubleshooting Adhesion Failure in Conversion Varnish Over Lacquer

Conversion varnish needs a mechanical bond. Here, pros analyze a case where it's not sticking. May 17, 2005

NC lacquer for kitchen cabinets

Why shouldn't this old standby be used? March 23, 2003

Fine Points of Glazed Finish Applications

A long discussion of glaze formulation and application techniques. July 29, 2007

Finishing mahogany

Producing the dark color expected of mahogany. February 12, 2003

Understanding Pressure, Airflow, and Hose Diameter with HVLP Sprayguns

The math gets tricky, but here's some commonsense advice on getting the pressure and flow you need at the spraygun tip. February 23, 2008

Dangers of On-Site Finishing

Health and fire risks that accompany improper ventilation. September 20, 2004

"Shading" and "toning" defined

How different finishers use these terms. February 12, 2003

Spray Systems: Pressure Pot Versus Airless Versus Air-Assisted

Which type of spray-gun setup is best for your shop? Pros go around and around on the classic equipment dilemma.January 13, 2006

Dark cherry dyes and stains

How to get a great-looking, deep cherry finish. June 24, 2001

Comparison Test of Water-Based Finishes

A cabinetmaker subjects six water-based urethanes to side-by-side stain-resistance testing (and shares his results). July 8, 2005

Pump Action Causing Micro-Bubbles in Polyurethane Finish

Pros puzzle over what causes tiny bubbles to appear in polyurethane finishes. December 1, 2005

Woodworking 101: The Basics

and shows how it can affect various production operations. 1998.

Test results: Waterborne products

Comparison and testing of several different waterborne products

No-blotch dying

Methods to achieve uniform finishes. March 5, 2003

Fish-Eye Reducer: Is It Addictive?

Legend has it that if you use fish-eye reducer once, you have to use it forever. Here, finishers argue the point, pro and con. November 27, 2007

Drying Compressor Air

This long, detailed discussion covers the whys and hows of drying out the air that flows through your compressed-air lines to power tools and spray equipment. April 6, 2007

Troubleshooting Solvent Pop

Even with state-of-the-art equipment, a finisher gets those pesky micro-bubbles in conversion varnish finishes. Here, pros put their heads together and try to figure out what's happening. December 30, 2005

Priming MDF Raised-Panel Doors

Primer can do unpleasant things to the exposed wood fiber of routed MDF. But there are quite a few ways to prime machined MDF beautifully. August 30, 2005

Spraying ICA stains

Looking for better results with spray/no-wipe stains. November 18, 2002

Finishing in-house vs on-site

Is quality compromised when cabinets are finished on the job site? November 22, 2003

Wrinkles in Lacquer

Recoat window? Catalyzation? What could be causing this defect? December 9, 2004

Spray-Gun Choices

Another long discussion on the pros and cons of various spray-gun options. November 11, 2006

Troubleshooting a Peeling Waterborne Finish Job

Glaze and water-based topcoat peel off an old urethaned tabletop. Pros weigh in on the diagnosis. July 8, 2005

When to use waterbornes

Applications where waterborne coatings will and won't work. May 22, 2002

- Spraying Dye Stains Smoothly

Achieving an even, streak-free finish. June 4, 2004

Responsibility for a Too-Dark Finish

A cabinetmaker is being asked to hold the bag for the poor work done by a painter who the customer hired. In this thread, professionals suggest ways to handle the problem. November 11, 2005

Stain and Finish Recommendations

Pros share comments and images about their favorite products. February 8, 2005

Overcatalyzation Callback Confusion

Here's a cautionary tale: A cabinetmaker dismisses a customer's legitimate complaint about finish discoloration because he think the customer is hiding something. Turns out, overcatalyzing the finish did cause it to turn orange after many months. Now the cabinetmaker has to apologize and make the jo ......

Pigmented conversion varnish

Finishers help troubleshoot problems with drying, overspray and more. January 21, 2002

Repairing Cracks in Old Church Pews

Swings in heat and humidity have opened up cracks in some old pews. Furnituremakers suggest practical repairs. September 26, 2006

Is an Air-Assisted Airless Sprayer Right for a Furniture Shop?

For low-volume, detailed spraying, other choices are probably more practical. November 27, 2007

Troubleshooting Wrinkling in Pigmented Varnish

In jobs involving multiple coats and sanding between coats, pigmented conversion varnish can sometimes have a wrinkling or crinkling problem. Here, finishers try to figure out what can go wrong, and how to stop it. September 10, 2007

Darkening existing finishes onsite

Setting up shop in the customer's home in order to modify a finish. October 9, 2002

Spray Room and Drying Room Design

A discussion of spray room characteristics, including layout, air supply and filtration. February 19, 2006

Troubleshooting an Adhesion Problem

Multiple layers of dissimilar products can create complicated adhesion issues. Here, finishers scratch their heads over one case example. September 10, 2007

Troubleshooting Inconsistent Glazing Over a White Finish

Although it's really not that bad, a finisher isn't happy with a newly finished cabinet; his questions set off a long discussion of glazed-finish quality control and touch-up. April 9, 2007

Wood bleach - what is it really?

How bleach works, plus developing a process to subdue alder grain and flecks. July 22, 2003

Exterior Door Finish

Finding a finish that will stand up to the elements over time. October 20, 2004

Gel Stain Versus Washcoat and Toner

For blotch-prone woods like Cherry and Maple, gel stains may give good results with fewer steps involved. September 14, 2006

Set-ups for spraying cabinet doors

Methods for clean and efficient finishing. Includes photos.. October 9, 2002

Sealer under polyester grain filler

Why must a catalyzed urethane be used as the sealer under polyester, instead of other materials? June 24, 2001

Japanese-Style Black Finish with Red Undertones

Finishers pitch in with different takes on how to imitate an ancient Oriental lacquer finish for a custom job. March 9, 2008

Choosing a Spray Setup

Finishers kick around the perennial HVLP versus air-assisted airless question, and exchange detailed thoughts about the pros and cons of different spraygun makes and models. April 19, 2006

Successfully staining birch

Methods for achieving a smooth, even finish on birch. September 23, 2003

Spraying a Washcoat

Achieving a smooth, consistent application. August 26, 2004

Staining and Blending Difficult Woods -- Alder, Birch, Maple, Poplar, and...

A three step coloring technique to achieve rich, dark, even coloring on a variety of wood species - March 16, 2005

Wrinkled lacquer over glaze

The products and processes that could be causing this problem. August 29, 2001

Touching up conversion varnish

Problems related to conversion varnish touchup. (From WOODWEB's Finishing Forum) January 21, 2003

Another Fisheye Story

Fisheye rears its ugly head, setting off another round of troubleshooting. February 8, 2008

Spraying Conversion Varnish with an HVLP Gun

Old hands walk a beginner through the basics of mixing, thinning, and applying conversion varnish. A good introduction. February 14, 2006

Color matching standards

Are they even possible? May 1, 2003

Flow Enhancers for Waterborne Lacquer

Finishers discuss the use of flow-modifying additives, alcohol thinners, or silicone fisheye reducers in waterbased formulas. March 29, 2008

Regular or dewaxed shellac?

is an appropriate primer coat. May 22, 2002

Getting Started with Dye Stains

A newcomer to finishing gets a boatload of advice on custom tinting with dye concentrates and powders. March 29, 2006

Toning a Reddish Finish to a Dark Walnut Color

Advice on how to tone a red finish in the direction of walnut. February 23, 2008

Spray Shop Layout

Setting up an efficient spray-finishing area in an expanded shop. December 26, 2004

Taking Sanding Seriously

Grit, lighting, surface cleaning - pros share views on the perfect sanding job. April 14, 2005

Refinishing old oak floor

Comparing methods and products for a reasonably priced, quality finish. January 28, 2002

Dispensing Ingredients

Finishers contribute tips for storing, measuring, and pouring out paints, stains, and colorants. January 9, 2007

Finish room heating

Safe systems for keeping you, your finishes and your spray equipment cozy. November 22, 2003

Building Your Own Spray Room -- On a Budget

Technical advice and alternatives for a small operator building a new shop. February 25, 2005

Bleaching, Pickling and Antiquing -- Hardwood Flooring and Millwork

Customized hardwood finishes offer new decorative dimension. December 3, 2001

A Little about Dyes, the Versatile Colorant

An introduction to the fine points of choosing, mixing, and using synthetic dyes. August 18, 2005

Troubleshooting HVLP Performance

A finisher gets help and advice making his new HVLP gun deliver the finish quality he wants. June 30, 2007

Spray Guns: From Airless to Air-Assisted

A residential painter who's used to airless equipment wants to upgrade to air-assisted for final lacquer coats. He gets advice, makes his choice, and reports back. August 30, 2005

Color Matching and Customer Relations

Can a finisher match colors that exist in a client's mind, and make money at the same time? March 26, 2007

Trouble with a Translucent White Finish

White flecks are separating out of a heavily thinned white pigment finish. Finishers try to troubleshoot. May 17, 2005

Switching to Water-Based Finishes

A finisher who feels healthier after switching to water-based finishes kicks off a long, useful discussion on water-based finishing techniques. December 31, 2005

Low-Budget Spray Guns

Finishers mull over lower-cost spray guns and what they're good for. November 13, 2005

Solving Lifting in Catalyzed Lacquer

Finishers address the persistent problem, experienced by one of their own, with wrinkling and lifting in catlac. February 8, 2005

Lacquer without sealer

A beginner asks for opinions on his system and gets the pros and cons of using a sealer. August 29, 2001

Antiqued Look for Cabinets

Developing a finish schedule for distressed cabinets. December 26, 2004

Light Sources and "True" Color Matching

Problems matching an existing color because of a difference between the lighting on site and in the shop? Here's an extensive discussion of the theory and practice of lighting and color-matching. June 9, 2007

Troubleshooting Blotchy Effects with a Water-Based Finishing Schedule

Waterborne finishes make it tricky to get even tinting on some wood surfaces. Here, a finisher tries to zero in on a workable dye stain, barrier coat, and tinted topcoat system. December 28, 2007

HVLP Versus Standard Siphon Spray Guns

Finishers explain the differences between HVLP and non-HVLP spray guns, and discuss their comparative advantages. November 13, 2005

Oil finish with airless equipment

Technique and tools to achieve excellent results. May 22, 2002

Touch-Up Problems With White Cabinets

Lacquer, paint, or varnish? Shop or site finish? Pros kick around the choices. April 14, 2005

How Not to Sand Through Corners

Advice on avoiding breaking through the stain on the corners of pieces when sanding between coats. March 3, 2006

Blotching on maple

Staining maple without blotching

Filling nail holes in prefinsihed moulding

The installer has shot your custom-milled cherry job full of nail holes. What do you do? September 19, 2001

Sealing Maple Plywood Before Staining

A beginner asks for advice on a hand-applied seal coat for maple plywood to allow even staining with a brushed top coat. March 25, 2007

Wood Finishing Basics

A newcomer to finishing gets advice on his formulas and application methods, and on where to learn more. August 9, 2005

Fisheyes and Cleaning Between Coats

this time involving waterbased finishes on bamboo. October 26, 2007

Lacquer Adhesion Over Glaze

A reported problem getting nitrocellulose lacquer to stick over a heavy-bodied glaze leads to a discussion of possible solutions. November 8, 2007

Advice on Conversion Varnish

A beginner gets tips on product choices, application techniques, and conditioning the workspace. March 18, 2005

Achieving Even Color on Cherry

More advice on a perennial challenge: getting consistent color when finishing Cherry. August 26, 2006

Mixing Stain to Make Teak Look Like Wenge

Here's a primer on mixing your own custom stains from primary colors, plus some rare old lore on getting finishes to last on oily woods like Teak. July 29, 2007

Trouble with Catalyzed Varnish and an Air-Assisted Airless Gun

Those pesky bubbles are back. Finishers help a colleague figure out why his new spraygun setup is not delivering the results he expected. May 24, 2006

Uniform Dark Stain for Cherry

Finishers share their formulas and methods for staining and toning cherry. June 30, 2007

Resolving a Stain-Matching Dispute

By its nature, matching stain is an imperfect process. Here, a finisher's story about a problem with a customer leads to a discussion of contract terms and policies for matching stain. June 23, 2006

Reducing finish overspray

Methods, additives and equipment for minimizing this problem. October 30, 2002

Fine Crackle Finish

Products and techniques for achieving a fine China-like crackle. May 19, 2004

Fundamentals of Spraying Stain

A finisher who's accustomed to working by hand gets advice on his first attempts at spraying stain. December 30, 2005

The Fine Points of Spraying Dye Stain

Pros supply mixing and application tips. April 14, 2005

Washcoat Tips and Tricks

Washcoat application can be a tricky process. Here, seasoned pros help a beginner get the hang of it. March 29, 2006

Heating a New Shop and Spray Booth

Radiant heat could be ideal, but the spray room will need filtered fans. February 25, 2005

Rocking Chair Design and Construction

Creating a good rocker is more art than science. April 30, 2006

Troubleshooting Finish Flaws on a Piano

Is that fish-eye or orange peel on that piano? Finishers help a colleague diagnose and treat a problem with conversion varnish. May 17, 2005

Problem with topcoat adhesion -- over stain

Wood finishers help troubleshoot a comrade's problem with topcoat adhesion on stained work. April 22, 2000

Applying oil-based polyurethane

Brushing and spraying problems and options. August 25, 2003

Sandpaper and Fisheye

Another finisher confronts the dreaded fisheye problem, and a discussion of sanding materials ensues. November 8, 2007

Tiny Bubbles

Are tools or techniqes to blame for the bubbles appearing in this ICA poly? October 20, 2004

Staining Alder

Alder is an under-appreciated wood that takes stain and paint well. Here, finishers discuss how to get the best results with it. October 26, 2005

Small-Compressor/HVLP Setup

Finishers debate whether a small compressor paired with an HVLP spraygun can get the job done. February 19, 2006

Painters Versus Cabinet Finishers

There are degrees of skill and accomplishment in both specialties — but what's the real difference? 25, 2006

Alligatoring with Waterborne Poly over a Shellac Sealcoat

Pros dig into the reasons why water-based poly might show fine cracks and wrinkling over shellac. February 23, 2008

Walnut Butcher Block Countertops

Techniques for creating a beautiful butcher block countertop are shared. May 10, 2005

Staining Pine Cabinets

A finisher gets advice on how to get even results in just a few steps. August 30, 2005

How to Make an Oak Mantelpiece Look Old

Finishers kick around ideas for distressing a new oak mantel to match some old oak furniture (the catch: the finish has to resist heat). December 8, 2006

The Fine Points of Scuff Sanding

"Scuff sanding" to knock down minor imperfections between coats may be done quickest and best by hand. Here, professionals delve into the fine points of how, when, and why to scuff sand finish coats. August 10, 2005

Drying racks for cabinet doors

Purchased and shop built varieties - the designs that work the best. Illustrated. (Finishing Forum) March 23, 2003

Waterborne lacquers

How quality measures up against other finishes. December 26, 2002

Tinting Toner Tips

A longtime furniture finishing pro offers tips on toners for tinting. March 12, 2002

Spot Repairs in Post-Catalyzed Lacquers

Spray touch-up techniques for minor dings and scratches. May 11, 2006

Safe sprayroom setup

Advice on everything from finish type to disposal of hazardous materials. December 17, 2003

Finished Versus Unfinished Cabinet Installations

In some areas, cabinets are often delivered unfinished and sprayed on site, but in other markets that's practically unheard-of. Here, cabinetmakers discuss the pros and cons of both approaches. May 23, 2007

Sand-Through Finish Strategies

Pros kick around ideas for a layered, sand-through finish for a multi-colored beat-up appearance. March 29, 2006

Sealing Over Water-Soluble Aniline Dyes

Bleeding between products makes getting that "piano" finish tricky, but it can be done. March 18, 2005

Shopping for a Spraygun Upgrade

A finisher looks to step up from low-end spray equipment, and gets advice on gun types. May 17, 2005

Hardwood Flooring and Millwork -- Finishing Options

Pre-finished or site-finished? November 16, 2001

Contaminants in High-Gloss Finish

Is dust causing the flaws in this otherwise mirror-shine finish? August 26, 2004

Fun with Vinegar-and-Iron Dye Stains

Iron soaked in vinegar makes an interesting dye that can be black, gray, or brownish-red, depending on the application and use. Here's a discussion of the chemistry and methods involved. July 29, 2007

Sealcoat Before a Waterborne Finish

Water-based finishes tend to raise wood grain. Here, finishers discuss options for a first sealer coat. October 25, 2006

Troubleshooting Gloss Variations with a Post-Catalyzed Laquer

Viewed from an angle, this finished piece shows some flat, dull areas where the proper gloss wasn't achieved. Pros try to diagnose the problem and suggest possible fixes. December 1, 2005

Gun Choice for Spraying Toner Over Sealer

To avoid mottling, use equipment that is recommended for spraying toners. April 30, 2006

Color Burnthrough Sample

Finishers share images of burnthrough effects created during the finishing process. February 8, 2005

Staining Poplar Trim to Match Existing Stained Maple

Poplar is usually a paint-grade trim material. But here, finishers discuss using washcoats and dye stains to persuade Poplar to stain evenly. September 10, 2007

Muting the Grain on a Cherry Table

A furniture-maker needs to make a new cherry table match existing woodwork that has a washed-out grain. Finishers offer advice about formulas and application. July 11, 2005

Finished Outside But Not Inside

How to handle things when specs call for finished face frames but unfinished interiors. February 8, 2005

Curing Stations, Drying Time, and Workflow

A small ultraviolet or infrared curing station might speed up a small finish line's production. Here, finishers talk about equipment, formulas, drying times, and efficiency. May 17, 2005

CV and formaldehyde fumes

The wrong respirator can lead to serious health problems. July 22, 2003

Filling Depressions Exposed by Topcoats

Sprayers share tips for achieving a flat, filled, fine finish. January 25, 2005

Refinishing an Antique Mahogany Sideboard

Finishers apply their minds to a tricky refinishing job: stripping paint and applying a new finish to a fine old piece of furniture. November 13, 2005

Achieving a Smooth, Glassy Finish on a Burl Veneer Tabletop

The crazy grain and deep structure of a burl surface pose a special finishing challenge, and the choice of adhesive can also add a twist. Here, pros offer advice from several different perspectives. December 8, 2006

Praise for HVLP

Has HVLP outgrown a bad reputation? Here's why some swear by it. (Finishing Forum) May 19, 2003

Less toxic alternatives to CV

Searching for a durable and less toxic finish. July 22, 2003

Spray Technique for Chairs

Wooden chairs challenge the spraygun operator with their many complicated surface orientations. Here, experienced pros advise on how to achieve a uniform coat without roughness or drips. April 19, 2006

Glaze technique problem

Trying to match a unique mystery finish sample. April 9, 2003

Conversion varnish flow

Getting conversion varnish to lay smooth. April 11, 2001

Knocking down conversion varnish sheen

What's the best method to dull down a finished-and-installed kitchen? March 23, 2002

Troubleshooting Painting Problems with an Air-Assisted Airless Gun

What's causing the spray fan to "wink out" occasionally? Pros help pin down the cause of poor performance. January 9, 2007

Rubbing Out a Piano Finish

The fine points of creating that smooth, even sheen on a black grand piano. December 27, 2006

- Glazing: My Favorite Finishing Technique

Glaze finishing techniques are a versatile way to enhance the features of wood without hiding its natural characteristics. They're also the first-choice tool of the faux-finish aficionado. Finishing expert Mac Simmons explains in this article how to apply base colors, sealer coats, and a variety of ......

Hardwoods in the Bath

Finishing Tips When Installing Hardwoods in Wet, Humid Environments October 22, 2001

Polishing Polyurethane to a High Gloss

Buffing compounds, sanding materials, and techniques for that super-high final shine. May 24, 2006

Faux marbling

Creating a decorative finish to match a marble mantel. November 22, 2003

Dye Stains, Solvents, and Alder

A question about spray dyes for Alder leads to a discussion of sophisticated custom formulations using dyes and solvents. March 26, 2007

Metallic Finishes

Pros discuss ways to put a bright, shiny silver metallic finish on wood. August 9, 2005

Alternating Between Waterborne and Solventborne Finishes

Advice on running different finish types through the same gun, and comments on the durability of water-based clears in exterior applications. March 9, 2006

"Antique White" Glazing Techniques

A discussion of the fine points of glazing steps for a "dirty white" antique look. April 27, 2007

Color matching and grain repair

Learning the necessary skills. (From WOODWEB's Finishing Forum) January 21, 2003

Low-Cost Clear Coat for Pine

An unfinished-furniture manufacturer wants to set up a finishing line. Here, pros discuss his low-end finishing choices, and give advice on minimizing sanding labor. October 28, 2005

A Little About Crackle Finishes

You can create one of today’s most popular specialty finishes with a little experimentation and practice. August 13, 2005

Spray Booth Characteristics

A finisher wonders if the price he's been quoted for a spray booth is too good to be true. Colleagues chime in about the components, quality, and cost of a good booth. October 2, 2005

Spray Booth Floor Treatment?

Pros discuss strategies to keep floors clean and protected for trouble-free spraying. August 30, 2007

Options for heating a finishing room

Various ways to heat a finishing room. December 12, 2000

Darkening of Oil-Finished End Grain

Unusual tables milled from whole logs present an interesting stain and finish problem, besides the obvious moisture-related movement concerns. May 23, 2007

Contamination and Fish Eye

Finishers help a colleague track down the source of fisheye, among the many typical (and not-so-typical) suspects. May 17, 2005

Shop-Built Drying Racks

Cabinetmakers compare shop-rigged drying racks for freshly-finished parts. March 20, 2006

Curling Problem with Peel-and-Stick Veneer

Pros suggest solutions to a problem with veneer that curls as it dries after finish is applied. August 14, 2007

Troubleshooting Finish Failure

prep, site conditions, materials, or technique? February 26, 2005

Using Waterborne Finishes

How do waterborne finishes measure up, in practical use? September 9, 2004

Air bubbles in conversion varnish

Why are they appearing when finish is sprayed on with an airmix pump? March 23, 2002

Approaches to Matching a Stain

Finishers advise on a puzzling stain-matching problem. October 14, 2006

Custom-Formulating Spray-Only Stains

A wide-open discussion on how to formulate and mix spray-applied stains, using the whole range of ingredients available in the market. February 19, 2006

"Mahogany" Stains for Birch

Finishers share formulas and methods for staining light-colored woods a dark mahogany color. April 19, 2006

Finishing Wood Edges of Laminate Tops

Suppose you want to edge-band laminate tops before finishing the edgebanding? Here are some creative ideas for protecting the laminate top from overspray while finishing just the edge. May 22, 2007

Troubleshooting Tacky Pre-Catalyzed Lacquer

A finisher reports that white lacquer coats don't cure for days. Is it the 98% relative humidity, or a problem with the formula?October 26, 2005

Deodorant Fisheyes

Finish flaws caused by personal care products. December 9, 2004

Applying a Toasted Almond Glaze

Four different finishers describe their methods for achieving this effect with wipe-off brown glaze over white base coat. July 29, 2007

Controlling Shellac Blush

An extended discussion of methods for curing blushing in shellac, and their various possible pitfalls. November 8, 2007

Wood Movement and Bar Top Finishing

A finisher gets advice on a tough problem: finishing a bar top made with small wood strips over an MDF substrate.December 28, 2007

HVLP with Turbine

Advice on whether to switch from a siphon gun to an HVLP spray gun. May 17, 2005

Considering 2k Polyurethane Finishes

A long and thoughtful discussion on the virtues and drawbacks of two-component urethane finishes. October 2, 2005

Gel Stain Pros and Cons

Is gel stain "second cousin to paint?" (And is that bad?) September 26, 2006

Glazing and toning techniques

A detailed discussion of glazing and toning methods. April 4, 2001

The Fine Points Of Viscosity

Ways to measure and judge viscosity, and determining what's best for the application. April 14, 2005

Waterproofing Drawer Bottoms

When a customer wants to stash wet, muddy boots in the bottom drawers, how do you protect them? March 26, 2008

Persuading Glaze to Stay in the Grooves

Advice on a tricky glazing application: MDF doors with shallow grooves don't seem to want to hold glaze. July 24, 2006

Make-your-own stains and glazes

Mixing your own wiping stains and glazes. June 24, 2001

Messy mixing

How to mix lacquer and reducer without suffering serious splashes and spills. May 9, 2001

'Factory Finishes' for the Small Shop

A fine 'factory finish' can help custom woodworkers achieve a uniform appearance when using dissimilar species or building multiple pieces. July 28, 2005

The Great Fisheye Hunt

Three tales of finish fisheyes found and fixed, with ideas on preventing them. 1998.

Equipment Issues for Final Door Sanding

Cross-grain scratches from the wide-belt, then swirl marks from the random-orbit sanders — what's the solution to minimize the final hand-sanding stage? November 26, 2006

Red Alder Pros and Cons -- Pricing, Availability, Usefulness

Pros discuss the cost, availability, and characteristics of Red Alder solid stock and sheet goods. February 25, 2005

Finishing for the Small G.C.

Pros offer a residential general contractor advice on learning to apply his own finishes. September 26, 2006

"Pickled" Finish on Maple

Translucent white finishes on maple sometimes pick up a pink or blue tinge. But with "toning" techniques, you can gradually build up a whitewashed look. October 2, 2005

Objectively Comparing Finish Brands

When two companies compete for a finisher's business, how should he compare their products? March 12, 2006

Learning Curve with Air-Assisted Airless

If you're used to cup guns or pressure pots, you'll want to change your technique a little when you switch to an AAA gun. November 26, 2006

Toning with conversion varnish

Adding tonal depth without building up too much finish. August 13, 2002

Exterior door finishes

Products to use for protection from rain. May 22, 2002

Eliminating Scratches in Glaze

Stubborn sanding scratches appear when a piece has been glazed... can this be avoided?January 6, 2005

Using a Builder's Finisher

Cabinetmakers describe why they don't like it when a builder customer has his painter finish their cabinets on site. January 26, 2008

Spraying Dye Stain

It takes a light touch and a careful eye. In this thread, experienced finishers describe their techniques. October 26, 2005

Repairing veneer sand-through

Short of firing the employee, what's the best fix for recurring sand-through in veneer edges? November 15, 2000

Getting a Start in Faux Finish

A step-by-step description and advice for successfully creating some of today’s most popular finishes. August 18, 2005

Overspray finish inside cabinets

What's the best way to prevent it? June 24, 2002

Comparing Water-Borne and Solvent-Borne Finishes

Old hands discuss the pros and cons of water-borne and solvent-borne coatings. June 8, 2007

Staining Cypress Mouldings On Site

Advice on stain selection, wood filler choices, and more for finishing Cypress trimwork. December 28, 2006

Getting the "Habersham" Distressed Look

Call it "Shabby Chic," or just furniture that looks like it walked down the wrong alley — it's not an easy look to achieve. In this thread, pros share their recipes for roughing up the woodwork. July 11, 2005

Duplicating Finish on Cherry

A beginner gets advice on using a washcoat, wiping stain, and toner to match an existing finish on Cherry. March 1, 2006

Darkening Maple with Dye Stain

A tricky stain-matching problem involving maple veneer and dye stain. October 14, 2006

Refinishing contamination problem

Is contamination at fault for the appearance of fisheye when refinishing furniture? August 29, 2001

Building Up Color on Maple

A builder gets advice on how to apply tinted stains and sealers to maple using many thin coats, to avoid the dreaded blotching effect. February 14, 2006

Shellac and Alcohol

Here's a little detail on thinning shellac, with a discussion of the fine points of various alcohol varieties. February 12, 2007

A Mysterious Metallic Toner Finish

A little investigative work following a sales call reveals the secret to a unique finish. August 13, 2005

Switching Between Coating Types with Air Assisted Airless Equipment

Going from one product to another and back again is no big deal with AAA spraygun setups. March 29, 2008

Staining Edgebanding for Prefinished Plywood

Ways to make edgebanding match drawer and door faces when using prefinished plywood to build frameless cabinets. December 30, 2005

Washcoat and Stain Issues with Birch and Maple