For more than 18 years, Bob Flexner has been inspiring woodworkers with his writings and teachings on wood finishing. Now, from this best-selling author comes the long-awaited and completely updated second edition of
UNDERSTANDING WOOD FINISHING—the most practical, comprehensive book on finishing ever published.

Popular finishing expert and instructor takes the guesswork out of getting the perfect finish

After building a fine piece of furniture, it’s no wonder many woodworkers find themselves hesitant to complete their piece – the fear of a finishing mistake can be paralyzing. As one of the most popular finishing instructors at woodworking schools across the country, Teri Masaschi knows all about this – and it’s why she’s written

Full of color photos and clear instructions, keeps it simple -- it’s an easy-to-follow guide that simplifies how to choose, use and apply the perfect finish. Offering the ideal antidote to finishing anxiety, the author notes, “Other wood finishing books try to cover the entire subject with all of the “why’s” and “what for’s”. This book is about the process. Period.”

In step-by-step exercises that reflect the author’s approachable style, readers will learn everything they need to know to successfully finish a project: how to determine the best finish, to properly prepare wood with sanding techniques, to fix minor wood defects, to apply decorative techniques such as glazing and color laying, to properly brush on urethanes and varnishes and, most importantly, how avoid common pitfalls.

A Variety of Methods You Can Put to Use

A good finish can make a mediocre job look great; a bad finish will make a perfect piece of woodworking seem lifeless. In these 40 articles from Fine Woodworking magazine, you'll learn about five broad topics: basic finishing techniques, using major categories of finishes, special finishes, new finishing materials and solving finishing problems.

Also see: More Finishes and Finishing Techniques

Product NameA well-applied finish can add the crowning touch to any piece of furniture, yet finishing is a skill that many woodworkers find difficult to master. Most people erroneously assume that flawless finishes have to be sprayed on or that there's some trick to achieving perfect results. The truth is that superb finishes have been produced for years using simple tools like brushes and pads. This book takes you through the steps necessary to apply finishing materials by hand, detailing each process, the materials used, and the correct technique.

You'll learn how to set up a safe and suitable working environment, how to prepare the surface of the wood for finishing, and how to choose the right stain to color the wood. At the core of the book are step-by-step techniques for six classic hand-applied finishes: shellac (including French polishing), oil, varnish, lacquer, water-based finish, and milk paint. Each technique is clearly and concisely explained, with many sharp photos and detailed drawings to accompany the text

Broaden Your Finishing Repertoire

Varnish, shellac, lacquer, and paint all have their own strengths and their advocates. Of course, the trick is choosing the right finish and applying it correctly to a surface that has been properly prepared. That's what this collection of 30 articles from Fine Woodworking will help you do.

In addition to explaining how different finishes are applied, you'll learn how to remove finishes, how to mix and use stains and other wood colorants, and how to rub out a finish to perfection. In all, the articles will give you the confidence to broaden your finishing repertoire.

Also see: Finishes and Finishing Techniques

Up-to-Date and Safe Application Methods

Water-based finishes are safe and environmentally friendly. Now that recent improvements have made their performance comparable to standard solvent-based finishes, they are fast becoming the finish of choice. Water-Based Finishes is the first book dedicated to using water-based finishes successfully. Professional woodworker Andy Charron explains how to choose the right finish and discusses the best methods to apply the finish for perfect results every time. This handy book also includes:

• up-to-date information about the new generation of water-based finishes
• how to choose the right finish for each application
• advice about surface preparation
• tips on application and topcoat finishing
• in-depth information on dyes and stains

Anyone who finishes wood will want to own the updated & completely revised version of the highly acclaimed Wood
Finishing Book. With new, fullcolor photos and design, expanded information, and updates on technological advances in finishing, it's a must have reference.The focus is on finishes that woodworkers and finishers use.

Product Name Finishing is one of the most popular and challenging woodworking topics. This accessible book by finishing pro Michael Dresdner uses a Q&A format to address the most commonly asked finishing questions in a logical way.

You'll find this book is long on solutions, not theory -- so it wont take hours to digest. You'll want to keep this essential guide on hand throughout the finishing process -- from sanding to final polish.

Discover answers to questions like these:

• What finish should I use for a front door?
• Do I need to sand between each coat when I'm finishing?
• Can I lighten a stain that looks too dark?
• How do I fix a dent that's too deep to sand out?
• What finish is best for items that come in contact with food?
• Can I use a foam brush to apply varnish and polyurethane?
• How can I avoid drips and runs when I spray finish?
• How do I get a uniform stain color on different color woods?

With this resource from professional furniture-maker and veneer specialist Jonathan Benson, you’ll learn how to recreate the beauty of exotic wood with veneer and inlays. Step-by-step exercises will take you through all the techniques and culminate in four beautiful finished pieces: a dining room table, a wall mirror with shelf, a marquetry picture, and a parquetry design

To finish woodworking projects properly, you have to understand wood and the countless different preparations used to color and protect it. How much wear will the surface receive? Will the finish create an effective seal against moisture? What kind of care will the wood require?

You'll find the experts' answers to all these questions and hundreds more—plus color charts, tables, photos, and diagrams—in this comprehensive handbook. Here are detailed instructions and helpful tips on preparing surfaces, from making invisible repairs and getting rid of glue spots to mixing slurries or working with commercial paste fillers.

When your wood is ready for staining, you'll want to consider the difference between a pigment and a dye, and between oil- and water-based stains. You'll weigh the pros and cons of applying your finish with a brush or sprayer, and then consider the advantages of a wipe-on finish. If you prefer brushes, learn the best way to use, clean, and store them—and find out why a more expensive brush is almost always worth the money.

Woodworking finishes can make a good project great. Spray Finishing offers professional results far superior to brushing or other hand-applied methods. Now that home woodworkers have access to the specialized tools and finishing products that were once used only by professional finishers, all they need is direction.

Enter Jeff Jewitt, a well-known authority on finishing who combines his vast knowledge of the subject with the latest technology to produce this integrated book and DVD set, the first in Taunton's "Woodworking Made Simple" series. Jewitt explains how to choose equipment and demystifies the spray-finishing process.

Through this unique multimedia approach, which includes detailed step-by-step instructions, photos, and how-to video, readers learn where to safely spray finishes and how to troubleshoot and solve spray-finishing problems. Both the book and DVD cover a variety of spray systems, solvents, and waterborne finishing products.