Finishes
The biggest news with beadLOCK is the new beadLOCK Pro version of this loose-tenon tool.
Are there benefits to upgrading to an HVLP system? We've got the answer here.
Brushes may look alike, but they're not all created equal. Learn how to choose wisely, then handle them with care.
When it comes to finishing pens, bowls, and many other small turnings, you won't find any easier way than applying the finish while the project spins on the lathe. Here are two finishes made just for that.
After some experimenting, we came up with a simple way to give copper that been-around-awhile look for projects in the Arts and Crafts style. Here's how.
Aniline dyes offer another approach for your finishing. Whether in wood tones or bright hues, these transparent dyes impart rich color without obscuring the grain.
When the time came to apply an authentic-looking old-time country finish to our oak bedroom furniture set, we turned to Robby Pederson. Robby works as the hands-on demonstrator in the cabinet shop at Living History Farms in Des Moines, Iowa. ( That explains his 1800s attire shown in the photos.) A student of things past, Robby proved to be the right person to show us how to create a time-worn country look using a modern-day approach.
Want to achieve a finish that not only looks like glass but feels that way too? Try filling the grain first.
Professional woodworker Victor DiNovi captures wood's true beauty and protects it with a finish he calls a "compromise."
Plagued by cracks in a piece of old furniture? Unless it's a museum piece, this simple repair might fill the bill.
If you've never tried gel stains, you're missing out on what could be an important part of your finishing repertoire. In certain situations (that we'll tell you about) these thickened stains perform better than thin-bodied (liquid) stains. But they do have limitations. And, as we discovered, subtle differences exist between the three major brands we tested.
When it comes to altering the color of wood, woodworkers routinely turn to stains to give wood more or a slightly different color. But wood bleach lets you remove color from wood.
Water and heat rings on tabletops and other surfaces rank high on the list of common finish faults. Here are some tricks that just might make them go away.
Ash as good as oak? With the right grain selection and stain it can be.
You've discovered a great piece of furniture, but the once-shiny finish has seen better days. If you knew what the finish was, it would be easier to remedy its condition. Now you can find out.
