Cutting, shaping, joinery, glue up and assy I can get that. If I mess up I just make another piece. But when all of that is done after maybe 50 hours of work and it is sitting there awaiting finish - I freeze. One mistake here and the entire project can turn into $250 in hard wood and 50 hours into tragedy. Am I mental? This is of course not at all out of the question. Is this typical or is it just me. Spray on - wipe on - brush on. Poly, oil, shellac, varnish, stain, polyshades. Uneven finish, runs, streaks. At times it feels like I am in a zombie movie and all of these issues are out to get me. So, I sit and look at the project in all of its unfinished glory and the more I look at it the more it seems it is looking at me and waiting. 

Welcome to the club! 

 

I am the world's worst finisher. Fortunately we have a resident finishing expert who can answer any question we might have. 

 

@kmealy will probably be along shortly to give you a hand.

Two hints:

- Get and read Bob Flexner's book.  Finishing difficulties are mostly due to misleading information from the manufacturers and urban myths.  He debunks those.  You can tell when a joint doesn't fit because it's "physics."  You might not be able to tell when a finish is not working because it's "chemistry."

- Throw out the world's worst finish, Polyshades.

 

13 minutes ago, kmealy said:

Throw out the world's worst finish, Polyshades.

Many of us are there and are afraid to try something different.  I look at applying a finish similar to playing a sport.  Practice, practice, and practice. Would you run a play in a game that you did not run in practice?  I have read that may woodworkers think it is a waste of time to work on joinery for a shop project.  They may be correct if they already can produce a good joint.  Same goes for applying finish.  Shop projects can be opportunities to try something different or to perfect a technique or process.  For everything you do, you have to know what to do, why you are doing it, and how to do it.  Yes, there are times I get anxious  before I apply my finish(s).  This forum is a good place to be.  A good place to ask questions.  Danl

9 minutes ago, Danl said:

I have read that may woodworkers think it is a waste of time to work on joinery for a shop project.

So have I, and wondered why not?  Shop projects are a great proving ground for such things.

@junglejohn, what project are you working on at this point and time?

I spray with a spray gun from Harbor Freight. I spray polyurethane and cat-lacquers...I don't get over technical and it works great. 

 

People often enjoy the work put into construction, then just want to get the finish done as soon as possible.   Even the projects in magazines go on for pages about stock prep, joinery, construction, then end with one short paragraph "Apply the finish of choice."  Very few people will marvel at a mortise and tenon joint or raised panel doors but the first thing they see and comment on is the look and feel of the finish.  I usually gasp when people on Facebook forums post a project and the staining job on a pine table top is just frightful.

The people that I took a lot of training from had worked in the finish room of a high-end manufacturer.  Their comment was 50% of the labor time went into finishing.

I think the worst thing you can do is find one finish (that you can at least tolerate) and use that for everything, whether it's a dining table top used by 5 kids or a decorative piece that hangs on a wall and never gets touched after it's hung.  Each finish has its strengths and weaknesses.  There used to be a guy on Woodnet forums who would answer all (and I do mean answer all) finishing questions with his favorite 2 or 3 finishes, regardless of the question.
https://thepatriotwoodworker.com/forums/topic/20530-tgif-selecting-a-finish-august-15-2017/?tab=comments#comment-120705

Used to be one of those guys where poly worked for everything. Got challenged to try other finishes. An eye opener for me at the time.  Still use poly for some things, shop related or outside stuff.

John, Here is a set of pictures of my latest project that is causing the angst in finishing. It is a side table, a hose warming gift to my daughter and son in law for their new house. It is maple with the darker sections in cherry. I also threw in a pic of my drum sander retirement gift to my self. I am rather a novice and feel more so after seeing some of the projects other members here have shares. There are obviously some very talented woodworkers on this site.

 

Regards, JJ  

Finishing is my weakness as there is so much to know and which is the best application for the product after it is completed.  I have tried shellac which dried out in just a few months even with the lid tightly sealed.  So, I need to find some denatured alcohol and try shellac chips.  Another item I have tried are spray cans of shellac, lacquer and other products.  Nothing out of an aerosol can looks good.  Way too many beads and not enough blending.  For most of my projects, customers wish a high gloss, so poly works in most cases.  However, I prefer polycrylic for that, but it is only for interior use.  

 

Painting is frustrating as you go to the big box store and you can tell what is being pushed to make sales.  They will try to sell you something that is not fit for having at home.  So experimentation and your own knowledge base from experience is best.  Stick with good names in the business and follow directions.  It is amazing how well it works.  I am hoping to branch out some, but as I said, most of those to whom I make something request a clear coat with a high gloss.  They wish to see the wood.  

Wow, John, that is one awesome table and equally awesome job.  You have some skills and in a few more years, you are going to be a master.  Keep up the good work, friend.

 

 

1 minute ago, FlGatorwood said:

Wow, John, that is one awesome table and equally awesome job.  You have some skills and in a few more years, you are going to be a master.  Keep up the good work, friend.

 

 

What Steve said. 

 

 

@junglejohn, this is why I asked, because many of the finishing fears can be put to rest if you use a wipe on finish, no runs, no fuss, no mess, and your side table is a perfect candidate for a wipe on finish, by the way, you are no slouch yourself when it comes to woodworking, great job!

To start with, you could just go with an off the shelf brand of wipe on such as Watco Danish Oil, this will get you on the road to understanding the wipe on wipe off process, then later you can delve into making your own wipe on finish.

When working with solid wood furnishings like you have here, the bulk of the prep is in your sanding, the wipe on wipe off is the easy part. I like to sand up to 400 grit at least, often I'll go up to 600 before a wipe on finish. Then between coats whatever your highest grit you ended with during prep, you can use between coats, I have found with Watco, I like to apply at least 4 coats.

Nice piece there John! Congratulations!

 

I'd like to add one more plus about wipe on finishes, specially with solid wood work like you have here, I personally don't like a perfect glassy smooth finish, I do like the "in the grain" finish wipe on provides, you'll have some texture left when you are finished, to me the smooth plastic finishes are not attractive.

I recently learned that if you do use a high finish product and it is too glossy, use some paste or bees wax and buff it down.  It dulls the finish and gives a smooth and soft touch.  My grand daughter likes the soft touch.  

2 minutes ago, FlGatorwood said:

My grand daughter likes the soft touch.  

So does my wife Steve, and on some projects it's wonderful, like several colonial style blankets chests I made while back, the soft touch is wonderful on those.

Cool, John.  I don't have enough experience on out years of wax finishes, so I am wondering if it gets sticky or dried and hard with age and exposure.  Which brings up another question about if it needs refinishing or just rebuffing in a few years or how many years out does it need attention?  I hope someone here knows.  It seems to me that Johnson's and Minwax paste wax will not need any attention for a decade or so.  Does anyone know or am I letting trajectory take me too far?  Thanks.

Just now, FlGatorwood said:

Cool, John.  I don't have enough experience on out years of wax finishes, so I am wondering if it gets sticky or dried and hard with age and exposure.  Which brings up another question about if it needs refinishing or just rebuffing in a few years or how many years out does it need attention?  I hope someone here knows.  It seems to me that Johnson's and Minwax paste wax will not need any attention for a decade or so.  Does anyone know or am I letting trajectory take me too far?  Thanks.

I don't have any experience with wax only finishes Steve, only applying wax after the finish has cured.