How to Clean Wood Dust Before Applying Finish
Any finish — oil, varnish, lacquer, or water-based poly — will magnify whatever is left...
Clear Coats & Topcoats
Polyurethane, varnish, lacquer and shellac topcoats: choosing, applying and recoating.
How to Repair Loose Wood Joints Before Refinishing
Why Loose Joints Must Be Fixed Before Refinishing A new stain or clear coat will...
Best Wood Species for a Soft White Tinted Finish
A soft white tinted finish — that translucent, milky-white look where the grain still shows...
Best Wood Species for a Natural Satin Sheen
A natural satin sheen comes from two things: the wood’s own color and figure, and...
Best Wood for a Clear-Finished Cabinet Valance
What a Valance Has to Do A cabinet valance is the horizontal trim board that...
Best Wood Species for a Uniform Honey Finish
What Makes a Honey Finish Blotchy A honey finish is a warm, golden-amber tone, usually...
Best Wood for a Clear-Finished Sideboard
The best wood for a clear-finished sideboard is usually walnut, white oak, or maple. The...
Best Wood Species for a Light Scandinavian-Style Finish
Choosing the Right Species A light Scandinavian-style finish usually means pale wood, low visual contrast,...
Best Wood Species for a Durable Exterior Semi-Transparent Finish
A durable exterior semi-transparent finish starts with the wood, not the stain. Semi-transparent products leave...
Best Wood Species for a Clear Finish That Highlights Figure
A clear finish can make ordinary wood look excellent, but it cannot create figure that...