A blog entry today from my friend, Chris Schwarz:

 

Covers in one coat

Protects from inside the wood

Stain and polyurethane in one step

No harsh fumes – strips multiple layers

Danish Oil (ask the Danes about this finish)

Spar varnish – exceptional protection from sunlight, rain & moisture

You must finish both sides of a panel

Perfect results every time

No-fail finish

No need to sand between coats.

— Christopher Schwarz

"Easy applicator included"

Just to add to the growing list.

 

The list is endless, some of them made up by woodworkers based on a one time experience, others by the manufacturers themselves (like "teak oil"). Some are perpetuated by so called "experts" writing in magazines and blogs. Flexner (whom I consider a real expert on finishing) also likes to shoot holes in these things.

Yes, Flexner is my hero.   He recently wrote an article about books titled "Perfect Wood Finishing" being an oymoron, and how one editor snuck one of these past him on a book he wrote.

 

 

 

I guess I can add:

- Water based lacquer

- The "one step finish"

- No thinning required (or "Do not thin")

- Fast drying polyurethane

- Oil and resin blend (aka, it's been cooked to become varnish)

- One thick coat = three traditional coats

- Acrylic milk paint

- Gives an expert finish, offering excellent durability, clarity and hardness

- Wood Finish - penetrates, stains, and seals

- Gives rich, uniform color

- Prevents blotchiness

All due respect to the finishing gurus, I do believe some can get too Zen with it, creating complexities in the world of finishing that really don't need to be there. In turn creating a market for their blogs and articles. 

Just like all the Zen craziness that surrounds hand tool sharpening etc. It's all described way to complicated, and unfortunately many beginning Woodworkers get intimidated and walk away. 

The old stirred, not shaken is also one: from Flexner:

MYTH #3: Never shake the can or you’ll introduce bubbles. A corollary is: Never wipe the bristles over the rim of the can because this will also introduce bubbles into the finish.

This is a very old myth that is more “misleading” than “myth” because it’s true but it doesn’t matter. I don’t know when the myth started, but it is so well established that it’s even highlighted in bold letters on the cans of common brands such as Minwax and Olympic polyurethane.

Then there is the one about..."in the wood finish....."