Questions tagged [finishing]
Finishing a woodworking project refers to the final steps to beautify and protect it.
519
questions
1
vote
0
answers
48
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? ...
- 1,474
4
votes
1
answer
103
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, ...
2
votes
1
answer
6k
views
When can I sand water based polyurethane?
I've applied Water Based Varathane Ultimate Polyurethane to some desktops. I intend to apply 3 coats. The instructions say drying time is 2 hours. Can I sand the finish after 2 hours or do I have to ...
- 23
2
votes
0
answers
117
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 ...
- 21
3
votes
2
answers
101
views
What glaze or surface treatment to repair this bar?
I have a bar that has a corner that was damaged in a move:
It seems as if the wood underneath the finish is MDF. But, how do I identify what the finish is that was used here, so that I can identify ...
- 247
2
votes
0
answers
115
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 ...
- 121
6
votes
2
answers
3k
views
Lacquer, persistent brush marks
So I'm 6 coats deep and cannot get the lacquer to settle flat. I think the lacquer is just drying too fast for me to adequately put enough on before it starts to set, it's a desktop of 2 feet by 4.5 ...
5
votes
4
answers
4k
views
Wood Still Rough After Finish
Preface - I'm a woodworking novice.
I applied a polycrylic finish to an Ikea Gerton (solid beech wood) table top. I only lightly sanded with 220 by hand before applying the finish. I wasn't aiming ...
- 151
3
votes
2
answers
127
views
How to freshen wooden box
I have an old Chess set which has been in storage in what would appear to be less than ideal conditions. (Photo taken with flash.)
One half of the box (on one side only, ie the half that is not shown ...
- 133
3
votes
1
answer
8k
views
Tung oil does not dry
I have researched and done everything to get my tung oil to dry . It was put on to thick first coat. I removed the coat and sanded . Used lacquer thinner to remove . Still not dry . Has been 10 days . ...
- 31
4
votes
4
answers
3k
views
How can I seal/stain white cedar 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, ...
- 61
2
votes
1
answer
101
views
How to refinish artificially textured surface?
I'm having a bureau used as a working place (for writing, working, studying).
Its top has artificially (I suppose) texture finished with lacquer or varnish. It looks OK, but using it as intended (to ...
- 121
2
votes
3
answers
1k
views
Sealing a Stained Poplar Bed Frame [closed]
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 ...
- 21
0
votes
2
answers
568
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 ...
- 109
8
votes
2
answers
5k
views
How can I determine when a linseed oil finish has cured?
I have only recently begun experimenting with linseed oil and walnut oil finishes, after mainly using mineral oil. Today I read this question and realized that my process may be flawed, because I am ...
- 1,053
4
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Oil based stain over water based fire retardant
I'd like to treat some wood (raw pine) with a water-based class A flame retardant (Flameseal WSA), but also stain it with an oil based stain (garden variety Minwax or Varathane).
I'm a bit unsure of ...
- 5,571
2
votes
0
answers
156
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 ...
- 21
1
vote
0
answers
43
views
I'm looking for a good finish for goblets and shot glasses [duplicate]
So I have started turning some goblets and shot glasses, and I'm trying to find a good finish for them that can be nice and glossy, but doesn't need constant reapplication. I'm pretty sure that ...
- 11
6
votes
1
answer
18k
views
How long before polyurethane finish on desktop is dry?
I'm a total newbie and just made a simple desktop. I finished it with Minwax polyurethane satin.
The can says let dry after final coat for 24 hours, but from what I've read on this forum it sounds ...
- 61
2
votes
1
answer
3k
views
Does the final coat of a Danish Oil finish need to be wiped?
Does the final coat (in this case third) of Danish Oil have to be wiped? Or is it not OK to just let dry and then lightly sand/buff?
I ask because I am using the dark walnut version of the Watco ...
- 209
7
votes
1
answer
7k
views
Filling cracks with epoxy after Tung oil
So still working on my live edge walnut table, and I think I may have screwed up the order of operations a bit. The slab has some defects - cracks, small knots with voids, etc. Didn't think to much ...
- 525
2
votes
1
answer
567
views
seem to be allergic to unfinished wood in the drawers of my new bedroom set [closed]
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?
- 29
4
votes
1
answer
564
views
What can cause cracks in painted pine?
I'm taking an online woodworking course (The Weekend Woodworker), and built a small patio table a few months ago. I made it out of select pine (kiln dried), spray painted it (~2 coats), and put in on ...
- 267
3
votes
1
answer
108
views
Is this a bad cerusing job?
I ordered a side table from a reputable manufacturer. The table was supposed to look like this:
However, when I received the table, it looked like this:
The white on the side table that I received ...
- 55
3
votes
1
answer
123
views
Hot tub lid, use paint or oil to seal wood?
I'm wondering what would be a good choice for sealing a outdoor hot tub cover made from plywood?
For example, would an outdoor paint or something like tung oil be better for a high heat and humidity ...
- 143
3
votes
1
answer
97
views
Can wood be "dyed" transparent?
Is it possible to "dye" or otherwise treat wood so that is becomes transparent? Or at least, somewhat permits light to pass?
I think I've seen examples of very thin handplane shavings which have a ...
- 667
6
votes
3
answers
457
views
What is an efficient way to re-use jars containing old shellac for storing new shellac?
I have a handful of glass jars of shellac (mixed up from flakes & denatured alcohol) that are now past their expiry date. Some of the shellac is still fluid, some of them just have a tiny amount ...
- 425
1
vote
2
answers
152
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. ...
- 11
4
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Can I use Teak Oil instead of linseed oil for my needs?
I have access to reasonably priced linseed oil. However it is cold pressed. Boiled linseed oil is a lot more expensive where I am. Teak oil is in between the two.
I do not want to use pure linseed ...
- 335
1
vote
1
answer
460
views
Removing black stuff from polishing pads
I have just bought a polishing pad & sheepskin wool pad from Festool and have used them to clean up my table saw top. Now they are both covered in black stuff.
Is there a best way to remove it ...
- 145
2
votes
0
answers
74
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/...
- 121
4
votes
1
answer
517
views
Can one apply dark shellac over light shellac (satisfactorily)?
I’ve darkened the color of my shellac by adding dye. I’m quite satisfied with the new color.
I have a piece brushed with several coats of the same shellac flakes without dye, and i thought i’d be ...
- 1,597
4
votes
2
answers
462
views
Most durable foodsafe finish to highlight chatoyancy
My favorite lumberyard (where I get most of my bowl blanks) specializes in curly/fiddleback/birdseye maple, all of which I love for their holographic/chatoyant qualities.
Because I'm a beginner, I've ...
- 1,053
2
votes
1
answer
585
views
Tung oil stain resistance
What I've done:
Made a small plate out of hard maple. Sanded it down to 220 grit sandpaper. Finished with pure tung oil (100%, not the big box stuff) over the course of about a week, giving four ...
- 405
3
votes
1
answer
5k
views
Water based poly super sensitive scratches white with simply grazing it?
Never dealt with this before but it’s really frustrating. Just built a dining table and 2 other small projects with the scraps. I stained with Varathane stain then applied Varathane water based poly. ...
- 31
1
vote
1
answer
224
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 ...
- 191
2
votes
2
answers
9k
views
Clear coat over epoxy?
I just did a pretty big piece of cherry with epoxy resin and there are a few spots that didn’t get covered adequately. Got a light coat but you can see the texture of the wood and not a glassy epoxy ...
- 161
4
votes
2
answers
710
views
How to remove staining caused by a clamp
I was putting sapele inlay into maple. The inlay was proud by about an 1/8th inch so I only used packing on the underside of the clamp, figuring that any indentations on the top side would be planed ...
- 173
1
vote
1
answer
296
views
Is there danger of combustion using raw flax / linseed oil for platform bed?
I have built a platform bed using 90%+ cedar (all but some quarter round and the legs).
My plan was to use raw, food grade flax / linseed oil to finish it. I like the idea of the raw oil not having ...
- 113
1
vote
1
answer
529
views
Redwood for bar countertop. Glossy finish questions
Have a 3' X 7' Redwood live-edge slab. Sanded down to 220 grit. After doing some research I decided to coat, multiple light coats, of Danish Oil. It looks great in terms of grain/knots etc but very "...
- 11
1
vote
3
answers
6k
views
making shellac darker / tinting shellac
I’m finishing pine with amber dewaxed shellac (with a brush). I was hoping it would impart to the pieces the same color as the flakes after a few coats, but it’s still looking too yellow for my taste ...
- 1,597
2
votes
0
answers
144
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 ...
- 21
1
vote
0
answers
44
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 ...
- 1,597
1
vote
1
answer
61
views
Oil finishing exposed surface only?
I am new to woodworking and Youtube has been my guide so far. Most videos I have seen, I see them finish with oil but only on top/exposed surfaces.
For example, not on joints or under the table/...
- 11
2
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Wax Oil finish on linseed finish
I want to add a 'hard wax oil' on my kitchen table. However I have finished it with a three coats of linseed oil. (once 1:1 turpentine and linseed and 2 coats of pure linseed oil).
Is it possible to ...
- 123
3
votes
2
answers
72
views
Finishing (varnish) in winter
I have many projects that I need to apply finish to. Some I got away with using mineral oil (as that was the intended finish anyways) but others, a table and an acoustic guitar, I need to varnish with ...
- 222
0
votes
0
answers
813
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/...
- 139
1
vote
0
answers
80
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 ...
- 11
1
vote
2
answers
440
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 ...
4
votes
2
answers
16k
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 ...
- 193