I think you’re going to like today’s topic, even if it’s not a technical, wood finishing “tip.” Given Labor Day is coming up and we’re honoring workers and workmanship… What I’d love to talk about is… How YOU got your start in wood finishing. Look, we all know woodworking and finishing isn’t easy – it […]
How You Got Started in Wood Finishing Read More »
If you’re reading this, you probably do most or all of your wood finishing. But there’s also a good chance (due to workload, scheduling, etc.,) you may need to find a good wood finisher you can rely on from time to time. The challenge is, trusting your work (and deadlines) to someone else isn’t easy.
How to Find a Good Wood Finisher When You Need One Read More »
You probably know I make a full line of water based wood finishes – everything from primers and sealers, to stains and topcoats. And while I’d like to think you’re using all of them, all the time… I know that’s not the case. There are some very good wood finishing products made by companies other
Products that “Play Nice” with Emtech Water Based Wood Finishes Read More »
(Updated July 2020) Sometimes you’re working on a project and you realize you’ve got some oil stain that you want to use or finish up—or simply that you’d applied an oil-based stain, but you’re wanting to use your EMTECH water-based Sealer (for example, USH 3000 UltraSeal-Water Based Shellac Sealer or EM1000 Universal Sanding Sealer) on top
Can You Apply Water-Based Sealer over an Oil-Based Stain? Read More »
Given that people know that they should wear a mask when sanding, we still come across the wood finishing safety question of do I have to wear a mask when I spray a water based finish? Yes, you do. When manufacturers of water-based wood finishes began to come onto the scene with their products, the
Advice on Using Masks and Respirators with Water Based Wood Finishes Read More »
We covered good ground in our last topic: “The best spray equipment to use for water based finishes.” Your responses were excellent! Today, let’s answer the next obvious question: Can a water based finish be brush applied? Yes, they can! It’s true: many water based formulas are engineered strictly for spray application. But others, like
Brushing a Water Based Finish Read More »
If you’re a regular reader, you know I dispense advice based on the frequency of the questions being asked. Notes from the Emtech Lab has covered a lot of ground over the past six months, but we have not touched on perhaps the most important topic yet – what type of spray equipment to use
The Best Spray Equipment for a Water Based Finish Read More »
During the past two years I have seen a tidal wave of epoxy tabletop projects flood the pages of woodworking social media sites. It is a creative and beautiful artisanal tend – using live edge or reclaimed wood slabs cut into a book-match length, with voids filled with colorful epoxy resin tinted with a rainbow
Trends in Use and Style: Epoxy Resin and Waterborne Clear Coats Read More »
You’ve heard me say the No. 1 rule of wood finishing is to “take your time.” It’s true — there are certain things you simply can’t rush. But being efficient is not the same as “rushing,” and there ARE ways you can get more done in less time. While visiting the shops of some of
What Top Wood Finishers Do that Can Save You Tons of Time Read More »
Here it is… The last step of my wood finishing troubleshooting “cheat sheet.” Next week we’ll move on to brand new tips and topics. For now, let’s conclude this series with Step 5: Water and Chemical Resistance of the Finished Piece. Yes, this is related to last week’s tips on “drying and curing,” and falls
My Wood Finishing Troubleshooting Cheat Sheet: Water and Chemical Resistance Read More »
