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Questions tagged [finishing]

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Finishing a woodworking project refers to the final steps to beautify and protect it.

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7
votes
0answers
561 views

What are the hardness ratings for the different types of lacquers and polyurethanes?

I have read a lot of opinions online about the hardness of different finishes, but I cannot find any authoritative numbers for hardness ratings for the different types of finishes in the lacquer and ...
6
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3answers
529 views

What is damaging this finished oak surface?

I have a lovely oak table; most of its surface looks as pristine as the day I got it, e.g.: Parts of the table surface are getting damaged -- the finish is wearing off and the pores of the grain are ...
3
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0answers
27 views

dark stain for a mantle

I have a client that has me stumped. We installed a lovely new stone facade for a client, but their vision for the mantle has me at a loss. They like Minwax Carbon color stain, but want a deep color, ...
3
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0answers
52 views

Touching up Guitar Body

I am trying to fix a patch on a guitar, but every time I spray I get this odd fisheye effect: I am trying to spray it with Sunburst Black https://www.stewmac.com/Materials_and_Supplies/...
3
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2answers
162 views

Can I puddle a little 2 part epoxy to fix a problem with a flood poly coat

I want to put the final coat(s) of wipe on poly over a gloss poly next to last coat of material. I previously applied many coats of Gloss polyurethane, but now I need to finish this project today. Can ...
3
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1answer
79 views

What dissolves/liquefies each of the popular furniture paints?

This question is related to my earlier question. I was reading elsewhere in this forum and found a question asking how to determine what finish had been applied to an old furniture item. @LeeG ...
2
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0answers
57 views

Problem with walnut finish

A typical finish we do on walnut is staining with Old Masters Natural Walnut stain (sprayed and wiped) and then 2 coats of a waterborne poly on top. A fabulous finish. However a couple of times we ...
2
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0answers
49 views

Are lacquer re-coats supposed to dissolve/remove pinhole bubbles?

I am brushing lacquer on 50 small walnut plates. My first coats were a bit of a learning curve and I had produced some small bubbles. My understanding is that new coats of lacquer will dissolve into ...
2
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2answers
63 views

White Cedar, how to seal/stain to make look similar to its original light color?

I made this white cedar chest & I want to protect it from rain and graying from ultraviolet (UV) sun exposure. I desire an oil stain or sealer because I have seen skin-peeling from varnish, ...
2
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2answers
40 views

Sealing a Stained Poplar Bed Frame

I'm putting together a KD Frames poplar bed frame. I've already stained it with Minwax Wood Stain (I really wanted a black wooden look) but I'm unsure how to finish it. When I bought the stain at ...
2
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0answers
30 views

Knots bleeding through deck sealer

I have a deck that I built in 1986 with treated lumber, that last year we used a stain sealer on and the sealer was bled thru at mostly knot locations. I have used clear sealer many times over the ...
2
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1answer
65 views

seem to be allergic to unfinished wood in the drawers of my new bedroom set

The smell of wood is causing my throat and nose to swell when I lay down at night, I had to move to another room. How can I eliminate this odor, or at least mellow I out?
2
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0answers
25 views

Food Stain on Polycrylic Cabinet

I just finished painting my cabinets white and to finish it off, I put three coats of polycrylic on top to make them more durable. I placed the cabinet doors back on yesterday. Today, while making a ...
2
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0answers
522 views

How to fill in holes and gaps after applying polyurethane

I'm finishing a very rough piece of scrap wood for use as a tabletop and to practice applying polyurethane. I've since found that the holes and gaps aren't really "filled" by the material and that I ...
2
votes
1answer
172 views

Finishing California redwood for a bed frame?

I'm looking at what finish would be best for a redwood bed frame. I would like the wood to look natural, warmish color, and a bit of a satiny feel. I've done a few trials and here is where I stand (...
2
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0answers
152 views

Trim / Casing and Baseboard choices between rooms

I understand this is partially design, however I think it's part of the art of fine trim carpenters. This is my second floor sitting room which has routed 1x8s as baseboard and 1x6 with the same ...
2
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1answer
204 views

Cloudy whiteish looking spot on my finish - what happened?

Have a weird spot on a walnut headboard I was hoping that someone could help me with. See the picture below. There is a cloudy whiteish looking spot in the middle of the headboard. It only shows if ...
1
vote
2answers
82 views

Fresh sawn oak sleepers deck

I'm planning to make a deck (~18m2) using oak railway half-sleepers (50mm thick, 200mm wide). They are fresh sawn, so they are pretty rough with splinters, etc. Is this a good idea at all? Can I sand ...
1
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0answers
38 views

Semi-gloss finish over pure Tung oil

I installed an acacia butcher block countertop and put on 5 coats of pure tung oil and it is now in the drying/curing stage. After curing I need to know what easy to apply product will produce a semi-...
1
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2answers
86 views

waterproof an outdoor lettered sign

I recently was gifted a session at a Board and Brush establishment, and made a lettered sign which I wish to hang on the garden fence. I would like to preserve it with a waterproof topcoat. ...
1
vote
1answer
59 views

Matching a cheap yellow finish on oak

Is there a method for matching an unknown finish on an existing piece of wood? In my case, I have an old (but nowhere near antique) piece that has had a couple trim pieces fall off. I've managed to ...
1
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0answers
29 views

Choosing a finish for a tusk/key/wedge that stays put

To ensure that a tusk stays put longer in a mortise, is the nature of the finish critical (assuming the piece is cut to a L:W ratio ~10:1)? The particular type of construction i’m referring to is ...
1
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0answers
35 views

Spreading water-based Varathane that is 3 times thicker

I used water-based 3X Varathane on a table top I am refinishing. It is very difficult to spread because it is so thick. It is supposed to be "self-leveling". I cannot brush it on evenly because it ...
1
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1answer
91 views

Best finish for outdoor oak wine barrell chairs

I have built four oak wine barrel chairs that will be outdoors in a dry, high-UV climate. I see other chairs in our climate that the poly finish cracks and doesn't last long. I would like to put on an ...
1
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0answers
18 views

Clear top coat on top of polishing?

Hi I have a project of brass. The job wasn’t prepared carefully before spraying the 1st time . Hence, it resulted in a lot of dust and imperfections. I have already wet sanded it with 1000-1500-3000-...
1
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2answers
977 views

Wood conditioner then stain then oil?

I’m about to finish my first woodworking project, it’s a tv stand made from 2x4s. I’ve been doing some research on finishing but can’t find an exact answer. I’ve seen that a wood conditioner should be ...
1
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0answers
79 views

What finish should I use on wooden jewellery?

So, I'm carving a wooden pendant for my girlfriend. I want the finish to be satin. However, since she plans on wearing it all the time, I want it to be water resistant. I do not want the wood to get ...
1
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0answers
135 views

Bleeding bubbles through stain

Okay I saw another question about bleeding through paint but this is stain so it may have a different solution. I sanded, used prestain conditioner, and minwax stain on a desk I’m attempting to ...
1
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0answers
77 views

Coating gone wrong

I have a large piece of Camphor Laurel that I have sanded and given a sealing coat to. I'm using Bonball Marine Varnish. I have left it between coats for 24 hours. This is the 3rd full coat today and ...
1
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0answers
281 views

Which additives increase shellac's heat resistance?

I like shellac's color and ease of application, but the bottom of my laptop melts my table's finish. Yes, seriously. I'm thinking to cross-link the finish (taking advantage of all the hydroxyl and ...
0
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0answers
21 views

How can I darken a stained finish without sanding/stripping?

My current maple cabinets have a brown stained finish and I would like to darken the stain a bit more. What can I do to accomplish this WITHOUT needing to sand everything down and start from scratch? ...
0
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0answers
48 views

For how much time are fumes from freshly polished wood furniture toxic and must be aired out & presence avoided?

PS: If needs to be in the DIY SE rather than Woodwork SE please moderators figure where it will get better responses and fit. Thanks. PPS: Found this similar - https://diy.stackexchange.com/...
0
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1answer
118 views

How do I smooth and fill in the C side of ACX plywood?

I want to know how I can make the C side of ACX plywood have a more finished look by smoothing and filling. What should I use and how should I do it? Background: I am making french cleat for my ...
0
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0answers
108 views

Blotchy clear coat water based poly on natural finish

I’m doing a refinishing project for someone and I’ve ran into quite an issue. The color of the wood is not coming out evenly. I’ve only applied one coat for the most part and am starting to sanding ...
0
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0answers
38 views

Staining veneer in humid weather

I am working in my garage in Wisconsin in August so needless to say it’s super muggy/humid. I’ve veneered my speaker cabinet and I’m getting ready to stain. Should I bring in the cabinets and put ...
0
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0answers
3k views

How to fix this blotchy staining job?

As part of a renovation, my contractor had to remove some 60 year old Southern pine stair treads and replace with new ones. When staining to match the remaining treads, the color match was okay, but ...
0
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0answers
219 views

Installing casing using jack miters

I'm looking to match the butt style casing installation of my old home. Standard 45 mitered casing and planning the backside has worked for me in newer homes First floor example with backband The ...