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Finishing, Refinishing and
Sanding
Each
woodworking technique and article listed below includes detailed
instructions, easy-to-read illustrations, color drawings, photographs,
and all the information needed to make you a better woodworker. Each
technique and article has been shop-tested by the editors of WOOD
magazine.
Though necessary, sanding is tedius and boring. Cut to the
quick with these time-savers and you’ll achieve smooth
results in a hurry.
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When the situation calls for a super-thick tabletop finish,
pour it from a pair of bottles.
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Let expert Tim Vander Well show you how to create the look
of highly desirable expensive woods on less-expensive
materials.
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Get that great wood surface as perfect as possible; it paves
the way for a great result.
You chose a terrific design, you did some outstanding
joinery, and your project went together just perfectly. Now
you’re ready to apply a finish. Or are you? A second-rate
job of preparing the surface can make the finish look like
it was applied with a broom, ruining the look and feel of
the whole project. Get the preparation right, and you’re on
your way to a finish that will make people say, “Wow!” Let
us help you take your projects to the next level with the
procedures and insider’s tips accumulated over the years by
veteran finisher and instructor Jim Kull.
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You’ve assembled and sanded your project, the can of varnish
sits within reach, but this time you want something
different than the usual look. You want this piece to match
the top-end furniture in the best store in town or the
antique in the living room. Or maybe you want to even out
the varying colors of different boards that you’ve used,
make a common wood look exotic, or add richness and depth to
your project’s appearance. If you have any of these goals in
mind, it’s time to do some staining. Staining relies on two
types of colorants: pigment and dye. We’ll help you choose
the right product for the job and apply it correctly.
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Protect and beautify your projects with a durable topcoat.
When it comes to clear finishes, or topcoats, for your
woodworking projects, many products vie for your attention.
However, you really have only a few basic choices. In this
article, we’ll cover six types of clear finishes. These
products separate themselves in terms of ease of
application, skill level, durability, repairability, safety,
and appearance.
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Use fine abrasives to give your projects the professional
look.
Make those imperfections disappear by rubbing out the
finish. What is rubbing out? It’s the use of fine abrasives
to smooth the finish and fine-tune its sheen. When you rub,
you take control of the all-important final coat, just as
you controlled the shaping and smoothing of the wood
underneath.
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Mix-it-Yourself Magic for Coloring Wood
With just a few basic aniline dyes on hand, you can create
practically every color under the sun. No, they’re not just
another stain. Aniline dyes mix like Kool-Aid, give you
clear, deep color that lets the grain show through, and can
put savings in your pocket compared to the popular premixed
pigmented stains.
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When it’s time to apply a knockout finish, there are a lot
of contenders. Some can take a punch; some bounce back fast.
Here’s how to choose the one that’s a fair match for your
project.
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Master the steps to transform a polyurethane finish from
plastic to fantastic.
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Use Mixol tinting paste to tweak stains or film finishes for
the exact tint you want. Unlike stains or dyes, Mixol
contains no binder, so you can add it to oil- or water-based
stains or film finishes.
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Arm yourself with these insights into what happens at the
wood fiber level, and you'll better your changes at staining
and finishing success.
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For most of us, finishing means applying varnish,
polyurethane, or paint with a brush. The dream of a
glass-smooth tabletop is always spoiled by brush marks and
bits of dust and other debris. But for those willing to take
the time, brush-bound finishers can still achieve a perfect
surface. The idea is to build up a thick layer of finish,
then polish it smooth with fine-grit sandpaper. This article
tells how.
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Mother nature can be brutal. Put a beautifully crafted
project before her, and she’ll do her best to return that
wood to the earth. The good news is that she doesn’t have to
be successful. By using the strategies in this two-part
series, you can keep your exterior projects looking great
with a minimum of maintenance.
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In Part 1, we told you how to pick weather-worthy stock and
fasteners for your outdoor project. Now it’s time to put
those bug-proof, rot-resistant, no-rust pieces together in
an enduring way.
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Veneer damage is a flaw you’ll find commonly in old
furniture, but one you can fix with surprisingly little
trouble.
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