Bob Flexner
Ten finishing rules that explain so much
Over the years I’ve found myself repeating certain phrases that apply to various situations. I call these phrases “rules” because they are almost always true. Here are ten of the most common.
Consumer advocacy groups join the attack on strippers
In the March 2017 issue of Woodshop News, I wrote about the efforts of the EPA to eliminate paint and coatings removers that contain methylene chloride or n-methyl pyrrolidone (NMP) from the consumer market.
What’s in the secret sauce?
You’re probably not all that interested in furniture polishes, but it’s a pretty sure bet that most of your clients are.
Protection and durability
When touting the qualities of various finishes, the terms “protection” and “durability” are often used. The problem is that they are often used interchangeably when they actually have very different meanings.
Testing wood finishes
Some finish manufacturers provide lots of information about their products that make it easier for you to choose among brands or within a brand to get the qualities you want.
Four methods to prevent fish eye
I doubt there’s any problem in finishing more frustrating than fish eye. The problem usually appears as moonlike craters in the first coat of finish seconds after application, but it can also appear as ridges (sometimes called “crawling”), and it can hold off showing itself until the second or third coat.
The art of distressing: Making the new look old
Two-hundred-year-old furniture looks different than new furniture, even if the old furniture has been well cared for. The difference is caused, primarily, by color change (due to light and oxidation), wear and dirt accumulation as the furniture has aged.
Treating mold and mildew
With the recent hurricanes in Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico, you must have looked at some of the pictures and thought, mold and mildew are going to be really big problems.
Grain raising can be just a bump in the road
Grain raising slows production and lessens the quality of your work, especially with water-based finishes.
The Great Brewster Chair and how it was recreated
Arguably, the highest art of furniture restoration is recreating age. The ethics of doing so can be debated, but it’s still very difficult. So I love this story.
Spraying no-wipe stains can provide richer results
The most common method of staining is to apply a wet coat and wipe off all or most of the excess before the stain dries. Any application tool can be used to apply the stain – rag, brush or spray gun, or you can dip, then wipe.
Seven ways to a richer and darker finish
Many shops use oil stains to get the color they want on projects. Oil stains are widely available at paint stores, home centers and distributors and they are very easy to use because they provide a long working time.
Shellac as a sealer? Its all just hype
You’ll hear shellac tossed around a lot as the “best” sealer, mostly in woodworking magazines targeting amateurs. I’ve come across many professional finishers, however, who believe they should be using shellac rather than the finish itself, a sanding sealer, vinyl sealer or a catalyzed sealer for a first coat.
