Finishing Handbook
by
Wood Magazine
Softcover
205 x 255mm
138pp
Published by Sterling Publishing Co. Inc., New York USA
R.R.P.$34.90
ISBN 1-4027-0751-7
Extract from back cover of book:
You have cut and shaped each part perfectly. Everything fits solidly, according to plan. But will your woodworking project pass the test of time without warping or cracking? Will it be admired for its beauty as well as its usefulness? Will its surface stand up to years of wear? The way you finish the job makes all the difference.
Nobody knows more about finishing than the experts at WOOD magazine and now they've put all their know-how into this wide-ranging handbook, covering everything from sanding, sealing, staining and varnishing, to stencilling, stripping and refinishing. This is a guide that every craftsman will want to read from cover to cover, and then keep handy for its valuable pointers on every finishing challenge you'll ever face.
To finish woodworking projects properly, you have to understand wood and the countless different preparations used to color and protect it. How much wear will the surface receive? Will the finish create an effective seal against moisture? What kind of care will the wood require?
You also have to decide what kind of look you want. Do you want to bring out the grain or conceal it? Use special painting techniques to give your project an antique look? Decorate the wood with gold leaf or stencil designs? Or apply a faux finish on plain wood to make it look like rare and expensive stock?
You'll find the experts' answers to all these questions and hundreds more - plus color charts, tables, photos, and diagrams - in this comprehensive handbook. Here are detailed instructions and helpful tips on preparing surfaces, from making invisible repairs and getting rid of glue spots to mixing slurries or working with commercial paste fillers.
When your wood is ready for staining, you'll want to consider the difference between a pigment and a dye, and between oil- and water-based stains. You'll weigh the pros and cons of applying your finish with a brush or sprayer and then consider the advantages of a wipe-on finish. If you prefer brushes, learn the best way to use, clean, and store them - and find out why a more expensive brush is almost always worth the money.
Get professional advice on choosing the best clear finish and selecting the right solvent to use with it. Learn fine craftsmen techniques, including traditional French polish, and master popular methods such as duplicating an Arts and Crafts finish, creating a country look, and stripping and refinishing vintage pieces.
Added to all the essential information on every aspect of finishing, you'll find plans for two handy projects: a compact finishing center for your workshop and a turntable that gives you easy access to every surface of your piece without having to handle it.
Photos: Colour
Contents
Preparation: The Key to
a Fine Finish
Sanding the Wood Smooth
Spotting and Repairing Problems
Filling
the Gaps
To Seal or Not to Seal?
The Secret to a Glasslike Finish: Pack
the Pores
Filling Pores with a Homemade Slurry
Putting on Commercial Paste
Filler
Brushes
and Solvents
Brush Basics
Solvent Savvy
Staining
Wood
Determining the Colorant
Applying a Stain
Preventing and Repairing
Problems
Fine-Tuning Colors
Other Types of Staining Products
Aniline
Dyes
When to Use Gel Stain
Getting the Color Out of Wood with Bleach
Choosing
the Clear Finish That's Right For You
Shellac:
A Traditional Finish
Applying Water-Based Finishes
Oil Finishes
Oil/Varnish
Mixtures
Wipe-On Finishes
Varnish: The Most Durable Finish
Fast Finishes
for Small Turnings
Lacquer's Strong Suits: Speed and Sprayability
Sprayed-On
Water-Based Finishes
A Thick Epoxy Tabletop Finish
Refining
a Finish
Wet-Sanding
Rubbing
Out a Finish
Putting On a High Gloss
Waxing Wood
Painted
and Antique Finishes
Low-Tech Spray Finish
Repairing a Less-Than-Perfect
Finish
Finishes for Country-Style Projects
Finishing
Solutions of the Pros
Finishing Secrets for the Furniture Showroom
An
Award-Winning Oil Finish
Finishing with the Nick of Time
Imitating Decades
of Wear and Tear
The Traditional Amana Finish
A Mission Look From a Mountaintop
Lacquer
That Looks Like Glass
Topping Off a Tabletop With Polyurethane
Beat-Up Reproductions
of Yesteryear
Bandsaw Boxes That Shine Brightly
A Tung Oil That Emphasizes
Wood's Figure
A Focus on Tiger Maple
Faux
finishes and Other Fun Techniques
Professional Faux Finish
Finishes
That Look Like Stone
Stenciling Basics
Stain-resistant Finishing
Shabby
Chic with Paint
Decorating a Custom Coffee Table
Creative Combing
Color
Glazing
Gold-Leafing
Dealing
with Old Finishes
Restoring an Old Finish with Paste Wax
Distinguishing
One Clear Finish From Another
Finish Removers
Stripping and Sanding Basics
Outdoor
Finishing
Painting Outdoors
Determining Which Outdoor Finish to Use
Two
Projects Just for Finishing
Space-Saving Finishing Center
Finishing
Turntable
Shop
Tips
Tweezers for Grabbing Plugs
Brush with renewable Foam "Bristles"
Cardboard
Spout for Paint Pouring
Filler Applicator Tool
Picture-Frame Finishing Fixture
Painting
Fixture
Container for Wipe-On Finishes
Aging New Parts for Old Furniture
Solution
for Wood Indentation
Brush Wiper for Cutting Paint Mess
Substitute Stencil
Brush
Paint Paddle
Putty Patches
Plastic Jug for Keeping Air and Sprayer
Clean
Making Nail Holes "Invisible"
Finishing Box for Small Parts
Applying
a Gloss to a Satin Finish
Metric
Equivalents Chart
Index
Credits