Wipe-On/Rub-Off Finishing
This two-step process guarantees flawless results. No brush marks, drips, runs, bubbles, hairs, dust or orange peel—and beautiful results every time. For most furniture projects, it doesn’t get [...]
Outdoor Finishing
When I was a kid, my dad made a pair of Adirondack chairs that sat out front of the old farmhouse I grew up in. Looking back, they added a quaintness to the house. They were attractive pieces, [...]
Finish an Exterior Door
How to choose and apply a long-lasting clear finish. What do fancy wooden boats and beautiful wooden front doors have in common? They both need a clear finish that can really stand up to the [...]
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, [...]
Wiping Varnish
In the November 2011 issue, Bob Flexner submitted this excerpt from his book "Wood Finishing 101," along with the article on wiping varnish. It is a useful document that you can post in your [...]
Improve the Protection of Oil Finishes by Applying Another Finish on Top
Oil and oil/varnish-blend finishes are not very protective against moisture because they are too thin; they can’t be built thicker because they don’t harden well. But these finishes are very [...]
Waterlox is Not Tung Oil, Even If It’s Made with Tung Oil
Not being accurate in the use of language, even when it’s the manufacturer that is responsible for the misidentification, can, and often does, lead others to use a finish that doesn't produce the [...]
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.
The Secret Finish Formula That Isn’t So Secret
Bob Flexner reveals the ingredients behind this popular, non-so-secret finishing formula.
Finishing for First-Timers
If you've never put brush to bare wood (or you'd like a refresher), learn how to greatly improve your chances of success.
Linseed Oil and Spontaneous Combustion: Take it seriously.
The danger of linseed oil rags spontaneously combusting is not new in the woodworking world. But because so many woodworkers use wipe-on stains and finishes that contain linseed oil, the warning [...]
Thinning Oil and Varnish: It Can Seem Confusing
Recently, I had an exchange with a friend who does woodworking as a hobby, and the exchange made me realize that the need to thin oil and varnish, especially varnish, and including polyurethane [...]