Questions tagged [finishing]
Finishing a woodworking project refers to the final steps to beautify and protect it.
481
questions
5
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1answer
201 views
Heat resistant finish for beech/oak trivets
I'm making some trivets (beech, oak) as christmass gifts and I'm not sure what finish to use - I'm not really too much concerned about trivet's finish damage - I'm more concerned about finish leaving ...
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0answers
19 views
Live wood coffee table [duplicate]
Going to use a prestain, then perhaps golden oak to even out the dark and light variations. Question what do I protect it with against red wine etc. I already have a red wine ring 😡. I have ...
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vote
2answers
65 views
What order do I go in to fill defects in wood?
I’m new to live edge woodworking. I am finishing a walnut slab for a kitchen table that has some minor defects such as small cracks and knotty areas. I would like to fill those with epoxy. But unsure ...
2
votes
1answer
93 views
Is this a professional furniture refinishing job?
When I got married and bought a house, my parents gave me their old dining set— the one I grew up with. It’s seen a lot of abuse from my kids at my house and I decided to get it and the chairs ...
5
votes
1answer
40 views
What's the best process for sanding/finishing reactive stained oak floor with hardwax oil to leave the best surface?
I have raw oak floorboards which are being individually stained and finished before being laid. For context - this is my first time doing anything like this, so apologies for my lack of technical ...
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vote
1answer
79 views
How to fill 2”x12” gap in hardwood floor with something that looks nice
I have a 1-2" gap in my hardwood floor after I needed to swap a larger register with a smaller one.
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I need to replace a 12" x 10" supply register grill with a 12" x 8" ...
2
votes
1answer
34 views
Can you apply polyurethane on top of wood that has been treated with a deck sealer?
Note, this is not for exterior use.
We bought an old Buffet and converted it into a vanity for our bathroom remodel. At the time we thought it was a good idea to seal it with a waterproof sealer and ...
1
vote
1answer
45 views
After using Minwax gel stain in Mahogany... which top coat ? Minwax Water Based Oil-Modified Polyurethane or Minwax Fast-Drying Polyurethane?
I applied 1 coat of Minwax gel stain in mahogany to a coffee table, waited 24 hours and then applied a 2nd coat of gel stain.
Waited 3 days for the gel stain to cure and I'm now ready for a topcoat. ...
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0answers
66 views
Is water-based polyurethane completely scratch resistant?
Just received a custom table finished with minwax water-based polyurethane. It's been about a week so I tested applying pressure with my fingernail, which did leave a small scratch if you look closely....
1
vote
1answer
60 views
Restoring old furniture finish
I have an old table that I'm working on. I initially was just taking off the wobbly feet and putting them back on more firmly. But I was wondering if there's a good way to fix up the scratches. There'...
0
votes
2answers
79 views
After two coats of Minwax low luster Antique Oil Finish stain color is still rubbing off
I applied the stain as per the directions, waited 5 minutes then rubbed it off. It dried overnight.
I applied the finish generously, waited 10 minutes, then rubbed it off, waited 24 hours then ...
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1answer
67 views
When to finish modular projects [closed]
I’m building a custom loft bed for my son in my garage. The final assembly is too large to make it up the stairs to his room so I’ll need to disassemble it to get it up there. I’m planning to stain ...
2
votes
1answer
70 views
How to obtain protective yet close to the wood satin finish on desktop?
I am finishing a piece of acacia glued up stave construction commonly called butcher block. It will be used as a desktop. I sanded it to 320 and put 3 coats of BLO/MS on it. It's mostly cured (I ...
2
votes
1answer
44 views
Proper way to re-oil a wood swim deck?
I’ve had the swim deck pictured below on my boat for a few summers now and the finish is getting pretty faded. I bought some teak oil to re-oil (right term?) it, but I’m unsure if I should just apply ...
0
votes
1answer
47 views
How to finish untreated European Oak wooden floors
I have bought a Oak Wooden floor planks unfinished. I have filled all the knots with clear resin and sanded it back for a lovely finish. I now need to protect the planks from drying out and cracking, ...
1
vote
1answer
525 views
Water based poly finish over oil based stain is tacky
In my first attempt on a woodworking project, I am trying to spruce up a dresser made of raw pine wood.
I stained it using Varathane oil stains. After it dried completely over a couple of days I ...
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0answers
73 views
Antique Danish Oil is still sticky months after application. How can I get it to cure?
I refinished a softwood tabletop using Minwax Red Oak 215 stain and Circa 1850 Antique Danish Oil. I've waited over 6 months and the oil is still sticky/tacky! We're talking post-it note levels. I ...
3
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0answers
45 views
Best clear finish for German beech to avoid blotching? [closed]
We have used beech in our bathroom and used WoodDoc Antique Wax to protect it. Unfortunately, although it looked beautiful, it did nothing to protect the surface from water splashes. We stripped the ...
0
votes
2answers
71 views
Retain smell of wood on a tool and also protect it?
I recently cut down a (dead) pinyon pine and I'm using part of it to make a handle for a hammer. While working with this wood the smell of it is out-of-this-world amazing.
Once the handle is finished ...
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vote
0answers
66 views
okay to put one coat of linseed oil over one coat of tung oil?
I'm in a situation where I had to take a piece from one shop to another as I moved cross country.
Yesterday I applied one coat of tung oil per the container's instructions.
The shop I am in this ...
3
votes
1answer
75 views
Can a 23g nail gun satisfy all of my needs?
I'm looking into buying a nail gun to help when assembling my projects - holding them in place while glue dries or I have the chance to secure with screws; the only issue is that I have no experience ...
0
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0answers
70 views
How significant is the yellowing from aging polyurethane?
It seems that at least half of the questions we get about finishing are along the lines of "I don't want any yellowing from my finish", or "I don't want any yellowing because of aging ...
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votes
1answer
46 views
Drying time on line tongue and groove boards
I have staying and sealed the tongue and groove boards with 2 coats of poly. I need to restack them until the contractor comes to install them. How long should they dry before I do this?
2
votes
2answers
205 views
Polyurethane over Boiled Linseed Oil Timing? -- Butcher Block Tabletop
Short version
If I'm using a few coats of boiled linseed oil (BLO) followed by a few coats of polyurethane, what should the timing schedule be? For my specific use case, this will be a large butcher ...
1
vote
1answer
62 views
What is the purpose of oil in French polishing?
I’m thinking of trying French polishing, but I want to understand the process more before I start.
I don’t understand the purpose of applying oil to the pad when French polishing. Some sources say to ...
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0answers
50 views
How to fill cracks and finish my bench (old found wood)?
For my first woodworking project, I am building bench with wood I found on the curb. Both my neighbor and a guy walking down the street said they thought the wood was at least 150-years-old. The ...
3
votes
0answers
61 views
Refurbishing Posts & Beams in a Modern 1954 House
I'm trying to refurbish the posts and beams in my house. They're quite beat up in some spots and have water damage streaks in the existing finish(es) in others, so I've decided to strip the existing ...
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0answers
33 views
Oil-based polyurethane became cloudy after sanding and wiping with moist cloth [duplicate]
I applied a thick coat of oil poly. Once dry, it looked clear in color. However, it was very rough and uneven, so I sanded heavily. After hours of sanding, I wiped the sawdust off with a moist cloth. ...
3
votes
1answer
85 views
What is the primary advantage of using sealer before applying grain filler?
I am trying to achieve a glossy finish on a piece of open grained wood, so I am looking at applying grain/pore filler to even out the surface. The articles/videos I've found online pretty much all say ...
0
votes
1answer
126 views
Finish for thin-skin cedar hot tub to resist water penetration
I’m planning out a build for a cedar 2-person soaker hot tub. Instead of using the traditional design of 1-in cedar boards, done barrel style, I’m thinking of using 1/4 in cedar paneling (oriented ...
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0answers
18 views
how could you get rid of dimples in DRIED oil based polyurethane? [duplicate]
the dresser was stained with oil based dark walnut,after it dried for days,applied oil based polyurethane,when dried seemed to have alot of small dimples or small bubbles,do i use fine steel wool or ...
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0answers
45 views
Recreate dark wood/gradient finish
I have a mirror with a frame which has a dark stain which has a gradient into an almost black finish.
Unfortunately a part of the mirror's frame got damage and small chunk was taken out of the frame. ...
1
vote
1answer
917 views
Finishing a table - scratch-resistant, heat-resistant transparent finish
I am currently preparing a project that will involve re-finishing several tables - one cooking and two working ones.
About two decades ago a friend of the family left at my parents' a table he has re-...
0
votes
1answer
136 views
fixing water spots on boiled linseed finish
I learned recently that boiled linseed is not a great finish when exposed to any amount of water. I have a piece near a sink that gets a few drops now and then, and these have become lighter spots due ...
1
vote
1answer
71 views
Excess wood filler left dark spots on oak wood
I'm building a desktop using oak wood. I used tongue and groove joints to join four planks together, gluing the planks along the joints with Titebond III, but there were some small gaps between the ...
2
votes
1answer
83 views
Should the inside of a drawer opening be finished?
I'm making a small cabinet/table/thing. It includes two drawers at the top, and solid sides. These are traditional drawers sitting on wooden runners, and the sides of the drawers are a close fit to ...
1
vote
1answer
92 views
Varnish rubbing off on my desk
So I restored an old family desk at home. Replaced the mouldings around the edges of the drawers, changed the handles and upholstered the cloth that sat on the desk.
I sanded down and stained the desk ...
0
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0answers
36 views
Questions on walnut oil on black walnut end grain cutting board
Almost finished this small cutting board (approx. 1" thick, 6" by 8"):
I got walnut oil from LeeValley and applied it after sanding and other finish touches.
It's been already about 36 ...
3
votes
1answer
131 views
Watco Danish Oil on unstained walnut > how to address tacky surface?
A confession: I made newbie mistakes, despite following can directions to the nth.
I think the culprit is actually the wood stock itself: unstained black walnut that's got a grooved milled surface** ...
0
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0answers
34 views
Using reactive fabric dye to stain wormy maple bookcase. Tight grain wood prep? With oil gel stain?
I've built a rustic bookcase with wormy maple. I am trying to get a 2-tone look. I've tested a turkey red dye stain (1 tablespoon powered:1 cup water: 1 cup alcohol) the wormy parts are brighter and ...
0
votes
1answer
59 views
High or Low RPM for sanding Epoxy layer on wood?
I have a wooden countertop that I covered with a thin layer of epoxy and, as a beginner, I made a messy job and there are brush strokes on it. Some days ago I started sanding it with a sander with ...
2
votes
2answers
137 views
Help with understanding what went wrong
Kitchen table and benches:
I used all solid Birch from the same lumber yard picked up at one time. Everything was sent through the same planer. Used an orbital sander up to 220 grit + sanded ...
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vote
0answers
50 views
Will my tacky polyurethane eventually cure when average air temperature rises?
So, for lack of a proper shop, I was applying a first coat of undiluted Varathane Ultimate Polyurethane (oil based) to a plywood box using my dining room table under a plastic drop cloth as a work ...
2
votes
1answer
60 views
How can I fix smears after wipe on gel finish?
I have a problem with the gel topcoat that I applied on my kitchen table.
I decided to restore our old kitchen table so I sanded it down, used General Finishes gel stain and applied General Finishes ...
1
vote
1answer
226 views
Will tung oil be enough waterproof / water resistant finish for this mahogany/sapele bathroom piece?
What you can see in the pic is the dry fit of this mahogany piece into my bathroom. It fits very snug into the wall pocket. In the pic is just bare wood, no finish applied yet.
I've already treated it ...
0
votes
1answer
160 views
Number of polyurethane coats before I can polish?
My first post on WoodWorking Stack Exchange so please forgive me in advance if my question has been answered before.
I am new to woodworking and have read a lot of information regarding working with ...
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0answers
37 views
How to get consistent glossiness in shellac finish repair
I've been repairing the shellac finish on paneling in my home, and some spots are coming out way too flat when dried. In this photo you can see how the glossiness isn't consistent, even though I ...
2
votes
1answer
87 views
Can preservative-treated Douglas fir safely be used indoors (after planing the outer layer off)
I have a bunch of Douglas fir planks left over from another project. These were originally intended for outdoor use and are treated with some kind of preservative that leaves a colored stain (they ...
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0answers
37 views
treatment for countertop already treated with Behandla oil
Many years ago, I installed a countertop & treated it with Ikea's Behandla oil. I see that the current Behandla is listed as "glazing paint" and has a tint. I want to sand out & ...
0
votes
0answers
47 views
Peppermint oil damaged table finish
Recently I put a cup that had a bit of peppermint oil on the bottom of it on my table. It must have dissolved and adhered the finish because the cup was firmly stuck to the table. After removing it, ...
