A great finish can make even a simple project look terrific. A bad
finish can ruin the most well-built, sophisticated piece of furniture.
Finishing can be a daunting and mystifying task to many woodworkers and
DIYers who fear wrecking their projects at this late stage in the
process. This collection of articles from Fine Woodworking brings
together the best information on a rich variety of finishing
techniques.
Nowadays, finishing wood doesn't just embrace fine clear finishes like
shellac and French polishing, but also bright pigmented lacquers, dyes
and stains, milk paint, and crackled paint. Finishing Wood
features a whole section on the hot new trend of coloring wood. Also
included is timeless information on preparing a surface before you apply
a finish (a critical first step) as well as tried-and-true methods for
applying all the traditional finishes, whether by brush or by
spraying.