Service Description

The finishing process can be intimidating. With so many hours invested in a project, it feels as though one false move while finishing can undo all your hard work. We’ll demystify finishes that are common in the marketplace, help you understand which finish is best for your projects, and provide great preparation and application tips that will help you achieve a better finish. Understanding Wood Finishes Wood finishing can feel overwhelming due to the wide range of available materials—penetrating oils, synthetic varnishes, lacquers, shellac, dyes, stains, gels, paints, sanding sealers, grain fillers, putties, waxes, solvents, and urethanes. That’s why we designed this class to help you make sense of the options and learn how, when, and why to use them. Start with Surface Preparation We begin by teaching the basics of material selection and surface prep. You’ll learn how to evaluate wood species and conditions to choose the best finish for your specific project. Then, we examine different abrasives and demonstrate how to use them effectively for optimal results. Apply Film Finishes, Waxes, and Polishes After sealing and coloring, we shift focus to topcoats. You’ll explore a range of film finishes—such as varnishes and urethanes—alongside waxes and polishes. We’ll cover how to build a finish, layer by layer, and how to protect it over time.