Comments on: Fool Proof Finish?? http://thewoodwhisperer.com/fool-proof-finish/ Education and Entertainment for the modern woodworker. Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:43:08 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: JHop http://thewoodwhisperer.com/fool-proof-finish/#comment-43942 JHop Sat, 30 May 2009 17:44:26 +0000 http://thewoodwhisperer.com/fool-proof-finish-question-of-the-week/#comment-43942 Ran across a back-issue of Wood magazine, that had a recipie included for a "black oak stain." (I blew past it during the initial read because I was more interested in the articles bigger than one page...) Don't remember the quantities, but I do remember it involves vinegar, steel wool, and (I believe) mineral spirits. Basic process is that you strip the oil/protectant off the steel wool, then rinse it, then soak it in Vinegar until you like the resulting stain. Remove the steel wool, and start staining. (Haven't tried it yet, though. Planning a project that will involve it. It's number 371 on the list....today.) Ran across a back-issue of Wood magazine, that had a recipie included for a “black oak stain.”

(I blew past it during the initial read because I was more interested in the articles bigger than one page…)

Don’t remember the quantities, but I do remember it involves vinegar, steel wool, and (I believe) mineral spirits. Basic process is that you strip the oil/protectant off the steel wool, then rinse it, then soak it in Vinegar until you like the resulting stain. Remove the steel wool, and start staining.

(Haven’t tried it yet, though. Planning a project that will involve it. It’s number 371 on the list….today.)

]]> By: thewoodwhisperer http://thewoodwhisperer.com/fool-proof-finish/#comment-26055 thewoodwhisperer Sun, 06 Jul 2008 17:21:28 +0000 http://thewoodwhisperer.com/fool-proof-finish-question-of-the-week/#comment-26055 Hey RFS. I was getting ready to post a full reply and explanation, but I decided to re-read the original question and my response. I am wondering if you actually read everything? I think your concerns were adequately addressed in my reply to Chris. Hey RFS. I was getting ready to post a full reply and explanation, but I decided to re-read the original question and my response. I am wondering if you actually read everything? I think your concerns were adequately addressed in my reply to Chris.

]]> By: RFS http://thewoodwhisperer.com/fool-proof-finish/#comment-26054 RFS Sun, 06 Jul 2008 17:07:10 +0000 http://thewoodwhisperer.com/fool-proof-finish-question-of-the-week/#comment-26054 Aren't you being a little harsh on a book you haven't read? In addition, the poster had already done the finishing steps he outlined. There was no going back for him, so what's with the gratuitous criticism? Why would you want to make a person feel bad about a project of which he was so proud? Aren’t you being a little harsh on a book you haven’t read? In addition, the poster had already done the finishing steps he outlined. There was no going back for him, so what’s with the gratuitous criticism? Why would you want to make a person feel bad about a project of which he was so proud?

]]> By: jason stillwater http://thewoodwhisperer.com/fool-proof-finish/#comment-16878 jason stillwater Fri, 01 Feb 2008 02:10:43 +0000 http://thewoodwhisperer.com/fool-proof-finish-question-of-the-week/#comment-16878 I agree, to let the wood do as much as it can. Finishing with tung oil is wonderful. Instead of stains, which can obscure the wood, try liquids like ammonia, vinegar, intense tea, boiled onion skins or nutshells. More exotic chemicals, like potassium dichromate, yield even more extraordinary reults and, in fact, were used on mahogany in the old days. Experiment, bring those "eyes" out on birdseye maple, finish simply, wax well, and you'll love what you get. I have restored antiques for 36 years. I am still learning. Good luck. jason stillwater I agree, to let the wood do as much as it can. Finishing with tung oil is wonderful. Instead of stains, which can obscure the wood, try liquids like ammonia, vinegar, intense tea, boiled onion skins or nutshells. More exotic chemicals, like potassium dichromate, yield even more extraordinary reults and, in fact, were used on mahogany in the old days. Experiment, bring those “eyes” out on birdseye maple, finish simply, wax well, and you’ll love what you get. I have restored antiques for 36 years. I am still learning. Good luck. jason stillwater

]]> By: JasonT http://thewoodwhisperer.com/fool-proof-finish/#comment-10336 JasonT Mon, 12 Nov 2007 04:42:04 +0000 http://thewoodwhisperer.com/fool-proof-finish-question-of-the-week/#comment-10336 I cant agree more with the keeping it simple, especially for new woodworkers. My first real project (just completed) was built with solid cherry. For the finish, I used a complex recipe from a book that involved a dye stain and then glazing. In the end, the project looked really great. However the beautiful cherry wood was totally masked by all the color that was put on top of it. I cant agree more with the keeping it simple, especially for new woodworkers. My first real project (just completed) was built with solid cherry. For the finish, I used a complex recipe from a book that involved a dye stain and then glazing. In the end, the project looked really great. However the beautiful cherry wood was totally masked by all the color that was put on top of it.

]]> By: JasonK http://thewoodwhisperer.com/fool-proof-finish/#comment-9666 JasonK Wed, 31 Oct 2007 15:36:01 +0000 http://thewoodwhisperer.com/fool-proof-finish-question-of-the-week/#comment-9666 Damn nice project Chris, and Marc I believe is dead on, Walnut is almost exclusively what I build with b/c of how beautiful it is, and only finish with tung oil so it brings the natural beauty through, listen to Marc and you can't go wrong! Damn nice project Chris, and Marc I believe is dead on, Walnut is almost exclusively what I build with b/c of how beautiful it is, and only finish with tung oil so it brings the natural beauty through, listen to Marc and you can’t go wrong!

]]> By: Paul-Marcel St-Onge http://thewoodwhisperer.com/fool-proof-finish/#comment-9641 Paul-Marcel St-Onge Wed, 31 Oct 2007 01:13:31 +0000 http://thewoodwhisperer.com/fool-proof-finish-question-of-the-week/#comment-9641 Rats, I knew I had something else to add... When I first read Chris' email, I was thinking that 3 coats of semi-gloss Arm-R-Seal would be muddy due to the flatteners. Fred eluded to the solution without calling out the problem. If you want to end up with a semi-gloss coat without dulling the sheen mechanically, use gloss for all but the last topcoat so they stay clear and put the semi-gloss topcoat last since the flatteners there will give the desired sheen. If all 3 coats were with semi-gloss, you'd have more flatteners than you need. Rats, I knew I had something else to add…

When I first read Chris’ email, I was thinking that 3 coats of semi-gloss Arm-R-Seal would be muddy due to the flatteners. Fred eluded to the solution without calling out the problem. If you want to end up with a semi-gloss coat without dulling the sheen mechanically, use gloss for all but the last topcoat so they stay clear and put the semi-gloss topcoat last since the flatteners there will give the desired sheen. If all 3 coats were with semi-gloss, you’d have more flatteners than you need.

]]> By: Paul-Marcel St-Onge http://thewoodwhisperer.com/fool-proof-finish/#comment-9638 Paul-Marcel St-Onge Wed, 31 Oct 2007 01:00:11 +0000 http://thewoodwhisperer.com/fool-proof-finish-question-of-the-week/#comment-9638 I had to laugh aloud while reading the original fool-proof finishing recipe because I bet I'd get lost halfway through it. I agree that letting the wood stand on its own is the best, although that's a personal choice. I second TWW's author suggestions. Based on his recommendations, I bought books from all three and all three were very well done. Sure, some repeated basic material, but each has a great take on how best to use each product and different tips to help novices like me keep the project out of the smoker. Very nice project, though. Reminds me to get off my butt and do something more complicated next ;-) I had to laugh aloud while reading the original fool-proof finishing recipe because I bet I’d get lost halfway through it. I agree that letting the wood stand on its own is the best, although that’s a personal choice.

I second TWW’s author suggestions. Based on his recommendations, I bought books from all three and all three were very well done. Sure, some repeated basic material, but each has a great take on how best to use each product and different tips to help novices like me keep the project out of the smoker.

Very nice project, though. Reminds me to get off my butt and do something more complicated next ;-)

]]> By: Frank http://thewoodwhisperer.com/fool-proof-finish/#comment-9622 Frank Tue, 30 Oct 2007 15:56:54 +0000 http://thewoodwhisperer.com/fool-proof-finish-question-of-the-week/#comment-9622 If you are looking for a good book on finishing, I have been very impressed with Bob Flexner’s “Understanding Wood Finishing: How to Select and Apply the Right Finish.” Among other things that I like about this book, he tackles conventional wisdom about finishing sometimes supporting it, other times not. Also, the photography is very well done; it is always nice to see what the final product should look like. You can purchase a copy via “The Wood Whisperer Store.” If you are looking for a good book on finishing, I have been very impressed with Bob Flexner’s “Understanding Wood Finishing: How to Select and Apply the Right Finish.” Among other things that I like about this book, he tackles conventional wisdom about finishing sometimes supporting it, other times not. Also, the photography is very well done; it is always nice to see what the final product should look like. You can purchase a copy via “The Wood Whisperer Store.”

]]> By: Mike in St. Paul http://thewoodwhisperer.com/fool-proof-finish/#comment-9620 Mike in St. Paul Tue, 30 Oct 2007 15:46:53 +0000 http://thewoodwhisperer.com/fool-proof-finish-question-of-the-week/#comment-9620 Marc - THANK YOU for making finishing simple for us "simple" folks. :-) As someone with little experience, I love how you give simple finish advice that is easy to follow and gives good results. I find it funny how many of the "experts" make the finishing so much more complicated than it needs to be. I think that is the most daunting task for most novice woodworkers. You spend weeks, months, years on a project and the last thing you want to do is ruin it with the finish. Thanks for giving such great advice that is practical and easy to understand. Kudos to you! Marc – THANK YOU for making finishing simple for us “simple” folks. :-)

As someone with little experience, I love how you give simple finish advice that is easy to follow and gives good results. I find it funny how many of the “experts” make the finishing so much more complicated than it needs to be. I think that is the most daunting task for most novice woodworkers. You spend weeks, months, years on a project and the last thing you want to do is ruin it with the finish.

Thanks for giving such great advice that is practical and easy to understand. Kudos to you!

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