finishing Archives | WoodWorkers Guild of America

How to Create a Simple Veneer Book Match Without Special Tools

January 14, 2020 By Charlie Kocourek & filed under Blog, Finishing.

Applying veneer to your projects is a great and easy way to dress them up. But the real fun begins when you start book matching. Interesting and beautiful panels can be created by different book matched configurations. So, what is book matching? Book matching is when two identical sheets of… Read More

Graco TrueCoat II Review

November 4, 2013 By Charlie Kocourek & filed under Buying Advice, Product Review.

I have tried practically every method of finishing, but waterborne finish technology continues to evolve, keeping me on my toes. Clients recently requested flat panel cabinet doors and end panels to replace their existing ones, but they wanted lacquer-like smoothness with an environmentally friendly finish. Balancing… Read More

Ask WWGOA: Buffing Compound

November 4, 2013 By Charlie Kocourek & filed under Blog, Woodworking Q & A.

Question: Saw your video on finishing wood pens with CA and stick buffing compound. My question is this: what type and brand name is the buffing compound I should use? Submitted by anonymous Answer: You can find stick buffing compound at most woodworking retailers, and… Read More

New Product: Mixing Mate

December 3, 2012 By Charlie Kocourek & filed under Buying Advice, Product Review.

This looks, to me, like a great problem solver from Rockler. It’s the Mixing Mate. It’s job? To help you thoroughly, and neatly, mix finishes before you apply them. It’s like a blender for your shop. The Mixing Mate is… Read More

An “Authentic” Arts and Crafts Finish

September 19, 2012 By Charlie Kocourek & filed under Finishing, Skill Building.

There is actually no single, authentic, “Arts and Crafts finish,” rather many different schools of thought and technique that comprise the totality of the discipline. It seems that people are looking for that radiant, reddish chocolatey finish when uncovering an antique Stickley chair at a garage sale. Read More

Pizza Points for Finishing

March 7, 2011 By Charlie Kocourek & filed under Blog, Member Tips, Sanding, Shop Tips, Skill Building.

I had a real “Ah Ha” moment. Looking at a pizza we ordered I realized that the plastic thing in the middle of the pizza that keeps the box from touching the pizza (it looks like a little table) would serve a similar purpose when I’m finishing. Read More

Finish Both Sides of a Door in One Setting

February 3, 2011 By Charlie Kocourek & filed under Finishing, Skill Building.

Here’s a great way to finish doors large or small. This neat little trick allows me to finish both sides of a door in one setting. It also holds the door horizontally so there are no worries about runs and drips in the finish. The… Read More

Painter’s Pyramids – Reworked

September 15, 2010 By Charlie Kocourek & filed under Buying Advice, Product Review.

It’s a simple enough concept. Elevate your work above the bench when you’re finishing, and you’ll get to the finish line faster. You can apply finish to the back, flip the project, and get started on the front without standing around watching finish dry. Plus, it’s just… Read More

Minwax Water Based Wipe-On Poly

November 18, 2009 By Charlie Kocourek & filed under Buying Advice, Product Review.

I was excited to try this stuff when I first saw it on the internet. My reasons? Well… since moving my shop to our home, I can no longer use “stinky” finishes, plus, I really like the smoothness of wipe-on finishes, and I especially like the… Read More

Ask WWGOA: Choose the Right Finish for a Bedroom Set

April 30, 2009 By Charlie Kocourek & filed under Blog, Woodworking Q & A.

Question: I am building a bedroom set out of quarter sawn oak. What would you recommend for this type of wood – varnish, lacquer, water or oil polyurethane base, or an oil rub finish? Can you please provide the pros and cons of each? Is there… Read More