Updated: July 2024 Varnish – it’s a word that has seen a lot of mileage over the centuries. It is perhaps the oldest type of coating chemistry man has kept in his artisan quiver of tools to protect a wide array of objects and surfaces. Can a water-based varnish exist in modern times? Varnish is […]
Is There Such a Thing as Water-Based Varnish? Read More »
Have you ever wondered why, for example, when you order EM2000… The product that arrives is also labeled EM2382? Or why Emtech® products have different label colors? Or what the 6- to 7-digit lot number means? Even long-time Target Coatings customers are sometimes confused by our labeling system, which I’ll explain below. First, it is
Prime, Paint, or Topcoat? Let Our Labels Guide You Read More »
Updated: May 2024 My earlier post about water based varnish generated some questions about water based lacquer, so I’ll address those today. Just so you know, anywhere from three to four times a day my phone rings and a customer asks, “Does [this product] create a lacquer type finish?” When the word “lacquer” enters the
A Water Based Lacquer? Making Sense of the Confusion Read More »
Updated: April 2024 Before you can decide whether water based polyurethane or oil based polyurethane is best for your project, you need to define what you want the end result to look like and how you want it to perform. Let’s start with why you would use polyurethane in the first place vs. other types
Water Based Polyurethane: The Best Choice for Your Project Read More »
As a finisher with regular contact with potentially hazardous chemicals, I hope you question the wood finishing safety differences between water based coatings and their traditional solvent based counterparts, particularly concerning their performance and their impact on your health and the environment. In my earlier years, I underestimated the significance of these questions. But as
Navigating Health and Safety When Wood Finishing: A Practical Guide Read More »
By now all the reputable design magazines and websites such as Architectural Digest, Elle Decor, Real Simple, and Houzz have released their design and 2024 wood finishing trends… And I read a ton of them. They have all weighed in on what they see will be the hot new color of the year, how to
Wood Finishing and Design Trends for 2024 Read More »
We’re taking our own advice and starting the year strong! As you may have noticed, we incorporated a bunch of new ideas and improvements to Target Coatings…and we’re not done yet. Below are Parts 1 and 2 of our quick rundown of what’s already “live,” and what’s on the horizon… 2024 UPGRADES, PART 1 Website
Exciting, 2024 Upgrades Available Now (with More on the Way) Read More »
Not sure if you saw my recent article on achieving the Natural Wood Look, but in it… I mentioned how I sometimes use a plastic door sweep to apply grain filler. Here’s how that came about, and then I’d love to hear what makeshift tools or “hacks” you’ve discovered. So, as I was prepping for
The Best Makeshift Wood Finishing Tools and “Hacks” Read More »
If you’ve been a finisher long enough, I’m sure you’ve run into some absolutely horrifying situations — those times when you pause to look at your work and realize something has gone very, very wrong. With Halloween recently upon us, all the images of screaming faces reminded me of how I must have looked in
Wood Finishing’s Scariest Situations Read More »
I would never risk my credibility by saying, “you can use water based stains EXACTLY how you use oil based stains and achieve the same results.” But for every “fault” voiced about water based stains, there is a pretty easy “fix.” And here are three key ones you should know: THE FAULT: “Water-based stains can
Water Based Stains: Common Faults and Fixes for Beautiful Results Read More »
