Finishing & Sanding

Sanding and finishing can become less tedious by using a few of these simple tricks.


Better Color With Glazes

Better Color With Glazes

Deeper, richer, more natural color on your project — that’s the big benefit offered by the simple technique of glazing. Read More

How to Prepare Wood for Staining & Finishing: 4 Steps

How to Prepare Wood for Staining & Finishing: 4 Steps

A great wood finish starts with proper surface preparation. Follow these four steps to remove glue, repair blemishes, sand evenly, … Read More

Best Drawer Liner Materials for Tool Chests, Furniture & Jewelry Boxes

Best Drawer Liner Materials for Tool Chests, Furniture & Jewelry Boxes

The right drawer liner protects both the drawer and what's stored inside. Here's how felt, cork, vinyl, leather, velvet, and … Read More

Choosing & Using Finish Removers: How to Strip Wood Safely

Choosing & Using Finish Removers: How to Strip Wood Safely

Removing an old finish doesn't have to mean hours of aggressive scraping and sanding. Learn how to choose a finish … Read More

Best Wood Finish: How to Choose the Right Finish for Any Project

Best Wood Finish: How to Choose the Right Finish for Any Project

Choosing a wood finish gets easier when you know what each type does best. Compare seven popular finishes by appearance, … Read More

Best Applicators for Wood Finish: Brushes, Rags & Foam

Best Applicators for Wood Finish: Brushes, Rags & Foam

A great finish starts with the right applicator. Learn when to use natural or synthetic brushes, foam brushes, wiping rags, … Read More

How to Stain Poplar Wood to Look Like Cherry or Walnut

How to Stain Poplar Wood to Look Like Cherry or Walnut

Poplar is affordable, stable, and easy to work with, but its green and yellow color variations can make staining difficult. … Read More

Working With Milk Paint

Working With Milk Paint

This centuries-old favorite is just the ticket for lending and authentic look to distressed pieces and reproduction furniture. Read More

How to Sand Curved Wood, Profiles & Contours

How to Sand Curved Wood, Profiles & Contours

Curves, carvings, and detailed profiles can be tricky to sand. These specialized sanding tools make smoothing irregular surfaces faster and … Read More

Food-Safe Wood Finishes for Cutting Boards, Bowls & Utensils

Food-Safe Wood Finishes for Cutting Boards, Bowls & Utensils

Choosing a finish for wood that comes in contact with food doesn't need to be complicated. Here's what to know … Read More

Wood Finishing Solvents: Mineral Spirits, Alcohol, Lacquer Thinner & More

Wood Finishing Solvents: Mineral Spirits, Alcohol, Lacquer Thinner & More

Mineral spirits, alcohol, lacquer thinner, and other solvents each have specific jobs in wood finishing. Knowing the differences helps you … Read More

A Look At Oscillating Spindle Sanders

A Look At Oscillating Spindle Sanders

A benchtop spindle sander can make many sanding tasks easier. But more importantly, the finished project will also look better. Read More

How to Apply Shellac by Padding for a Smooth Wood Finish

How to Apply Shellac by Padding for a Smooth Wood Finish

Shellac dries quickly and builds a smooth finish without a lot of fuss. Learn how to apply multiple thin coats … Read More

How to Apply Varnish with a Brush for a Smooth Finish

How to Apply Varnish with a Brush for a Smooth Finish

A brushed varnish finish gives furniture a warm appearance and a tough, protective surface. The key is using the right … Read More

Versatile Disk Sanders

Versatile Disk Sanders

When it comes to most edge-sanding tasks, nothing can match the speed and precision of a disk sander. Read More