Table of Contents
Introduction viii
Safety
Chapter 1 Why Finish Wood, Anyway? 1
Sanitation
Stabilization
Decoration
Chapter 2 Preparing the Wood Surface 7
Selecting the Lumber
Sanding and Smoothing
Sandpaper
Dewhiskering
Glue Splotches
Dents, Gouges, and Holes
Wood Putties
Chapter 3 Tools for Applying Finishes 21
Making a Rubbing Pad
Rags
Brushes
Using Brushes
Common Brushing Problems
Spray Guns and Equipment
How a Typical Spray Gun Works
Spray Booths
Common Spraying Problems
Aerosol Spray Finishing
Compressors
Common Spray-Gun Problems
Chapter 4 Staining Wood 41
Understanding Stains
What Makes a Stain
A Guide to Stains
Chemical Stains
Bleaching Wood
Ebonizing Wood
Using Aniline Dyes
Matching Color
Dyes and Fade Resistance
Applying Stain
Washcoating Before Applying Stain
Washcoats
Staining End Grain
Common Staining Problems, Causes, and Solutions
Chapter 5 Oil Finishes 71
Our Ancestors and Linseed Oil
Applying Oil and Oil/Varnish Finishes
Oil Finishes and Penetration
Understanding Oil
The Food-Safe Myth
Understanding Varnish
Which Is Which?
Bleeding Oil Finishes
How to Tell Which Finish You Have
Maintenance and Repair
Guide to "Oil" Finishes
Chapter 6 Wax Finishes 87
Using Wax as a Finish
How to Make Your Own Paste Wax
Applying Paste Wax
Compatibility with Other Finishes
Chapter 7 Filling the Pores 93
Filling Pores with the Finish
Filling Pores with Paste Wood Filler
Finish vs. Paste Wood Filler
Oil-Based vs. Water-Based
Common Problems Using Oil-Based Paste Wood Filler
Using Oil-Based Paste Wood Filler
Using Water-Based Paste Wood Filler
Chapter 8 Introduction to Film Finishes 105
What's in a Name?
Making Sense of Finishes
How Finishes Cure
Solids Content and Mil Thickness
Controlling Sheen with Flatting Agent
Finishing Materials: How They Cure
Comparing Evaporative, Reactive, and Coalescing Finishes
Classifying Finishes
Sealers and Sealing Wood
Solvents and Thinners
Finish Compatibility
The Future of Film Finishes
Chapter 9 Shellac 123
Pros & Cons
What Is Shellac?
Categories of Shellac
Alcohol
Shellac in Modern Use
Brushing and Spraying Shellac
French Polishing
Common Problems Applying Shellac
Padding Lacquer
Chapter 10 Lacquer 137
Nitrocellulose Lacquer Variations
Pros & Cons
Advantages of Lacquer
Lacquer Thinner
Comparing the Solvents in Lacquer Thinner
Crackle Lacquer
Common Problems Applying Lacquer
Fish Eye and Silicone
Spraying Lacquer
Lacquer's Problems
Chapter 11 Varnish 151
The Mix of Oil and Resin
Pros & Cons
Characteristics of Varnish
Applying Varnish
Identifying Varnish Types
Wiping Varnish
Brushing Varnish
Turpentine and Petroleum-Distillate Solvents
Common Problems Applying Varnish
Gel Varnish
The Future of Varnish
Chapter 12 Two-Part Finishes 163
KCMA Testing Standards
Catalyzed Finishes
Pros & Cons
Two-Part Polyurethane
Crosslinking Water Base
Epoxy Resin
Chapter 13 Water-Based Finishes 171
What Is Water-Based Finish?
Pros & Cons
Characteristics of Water Base
Common Problems Applying Water Base
Brushing and Spraying Water-Based Finishes
Glycol Ether
Is Water Base for You?
Chapter 14 Choosing a Finish 181
Appearance
Protection
Durability
Ease of Application
Safety
Disposing of Solvent Waste
Reversibility
Rubbing Qualities
Comparing Finishes
Guide to Choosing a Finish
How to Choose
Chapter 15 Advanced Coloring Techniques 191
Factory Finishing
Glazing
Antiquing Wood
Toning
Pickling
Step Panel
Common Glazing and Toning Problems
Chapter 16 Finishing the Finish 205
Cutting Through
Additional Factors in Rubbing a Finish
Synthetic Steel Wool
Rubbing with Steel Wool
Comparison of Rubbing Lubricants
Leveling and Rubbing
Machine Rubbing
Chapter 17 Finishing Different Woods 219
Pine
Oak
Walnut
Mahogany
Hard Maple
Cherry
Ash, Elm, and Chestnut
Aromatic Red Cedar
Soft Maple, Gum, and Poplar
Birch
Oily Woods
Chapter 18 Caring for the Finish 249
Causes of Finish Deterioration
Applying Liquid Furniture Polish
Preventing Finish Deterioration
Deterioration Causes and Preventions
How to Choose
Furniture Polish Overview
Types of Furniture-Care Products
Caring for Antique Furniture
Chapter 19 Repairing Finishes 257
Removing Foreign Material
Repairing Superficial Damage
Repairing Color Damage in the Finish
Touching Up the Color
Filling with a Burn-In Stick
Filling with Epoxy
Repairing Deep Scratches and Gouges
Chapter 20 Exterior Finishes 271
Wood Degradation
Slowing Degradation
Finishing Exterior Doors
Staining Wood Decks
UV Protection
How to Choose
Chapter 21 More on Finishing 283
Finishing in One Day (or Less)
Soap Finish
Matching Colors
History of Wood Finishes
Afterword 299
Sources of Supply 300
Index 302
About the Author 308
