Shopsmith Forums

I have been a finisher long before I was a woodworker. Building projects, and then not learning finishing is like a soldier learning how to assemble is weapon flawlessly, and then have no idea of how to shoot it! Ya gotta learn! It is not at all hard to do, if you know what is involved. Most hated thing about finishing is sanding. Orbital sanders have come a long way, and cut this part of finishing down to size. The best advise I can give, is to always USE A SYSTEM. Don't have one type of stain, another type of sealer, and then a different top coat. I primarily spray my work. Ois such as tung oil, Danish oil, etc., does not protect the wood from liquids, food etc.. It soaks in to a point, then just lays there. It is the "soaking in" that makes oils work. But you reach a point, when the surface is sealed, and no more "oil" is gonna soak in. Great for teak, and other outdoor stuff, but not that durable for utility, like a tabletop. Don't get me wrong, oils work, but in a different way than say, lacquer, varnish, and so on. These two products, rely on evaporation of solvents to achieve a hard topcoat. The solvents carry the liquid into the pores of the wood, and raise the grain. As the solvents evaporate, the solids are left behind. Sanding sealer is your friend! It allows product to soak into the wood, harden the raised grain, and has a powder lubricating product in it to allow sanding that grain smooth. The dust left behind will melt into the next coat if you are using lacquer, but will make a mess of things if the dust from varnish or poly is not cleaned off completely. It will look and feel like you finished it in a dust storm! If you are not able to spray, then a wipe on product is the next best thing. But as stated, you gotta sand, and you gotta recoat, and ya gotta be immaculately clean. I love lacquer for a number of reasons. It dries VERY fast, the sanding sealers for lacquer are a pleasure to use, and can be thinned as much as you want, the sanding dust only requires a dust off, cause the remnants will simply melt in, and are invisible. Also, lacquer is a "repairable" finish. You can fix a scratch easily, where varnish and poly are not.(they don't "melt" into freshly applied finish, and some will "attack" the old finish!) If you truly love woodworking, try lacquer. It will come out great, and your shop doesn't have to be sterile! I have fed my family for 40 years using lacquer, and a quality spray rig will last for decades if you clean your equipment after EVERY job. Hope this dispells some of the mystery of finishing. jimsjinx

heathicus wrote:I hate applying finish to a project. That is where I usually feel like I totally screwed up the whole thing. I wish I could just hand my projects off to a professional finisher.

I think I have 2 main problems when it comes to finishes. First, I'm ignorant. Most finishes and techniques are a mystery to me. I don't understand what they do and the type of effect they will have and how best to apply them. Second, I can't find an interest to learn. Finishing is not woodworking. It's painting with chemistry. I spend all this time and effort worrying over every detail of the project when I'm working the wood, but when it comes to finishing, I just want to slap something on and be done. I want quick and easy. And that doesn't work.

Sorry, just had to rant.

I totally feel your pain. For years I have created intricate projects only to "spoil" them with less than (in my eyes) perfect finishes. I even went to a seminar at the local Woodcraft lead by a finishing craftsman, only to realize that finish is indeed a completely different skill set.
Therefore: whenever possible I use natural oils and wax on my projects. On pens I have become comfortable with CA finishes. Paints and stains are avoided like demons....before a required use I am awake for days with nighmares.
So thank you for your rant, it makes me a bit more comfortable with my phobia.
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and may this year bring projects requiring only easy finishing.