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The following articles were featured in Popular Woodworking in the last couple years.

The 7 Myths of Polyurethane
Oft-repeated 'rules' that are, quite simply, wrong. [ read more ]

The Basics of Wiping Varnish
Its durability and ease of use make searching out this hard-to-identify finish worth it. [ read more ]

Finish Compatibility
Discover what finishing products work well together – and which ones don't. [ read more ]

Slow Drying
Sometimes, stains and finishes dry more slowly than expected. Finishing expert Bob Flexner offers a few possibilities as to what's causing the problem — and how to overcome it. [ read more ]

A Primer on Solvents
How to make sense of all the finishing solvents on the shelves. Step 1: Divide them all into two categories. [ read more ]

Home-Center Finishing
Finishing expert Bob Flexner shows you how to achieve a high-style furniture finish using common materials from any home center. [ read more ]

Rub to Create a Great Finish
Achieving a glass-flat surface is a lot easier than you might think. [ read more ]

Battling Blotching
Forget wood conditioner and go for gel stain. [ read more ]

Aerosol Spray Finishing
For small or specialty jobs, spray-can finishing is a good choice. [ read more ]

Glazes and Glazing techniques
One of the oft-forgotten tools in finishing is glazes. Here's how to get started with this handy technique. [ read more ]

Some Reflections on Sheen
Understanding how sheen works allows you to control the gloss on your finishes. [ read more ]

Finishing Formulas
Glen Huey walks "step-by-step" through his finishes for furniture using aniline dye along with shellac or lacquer, discusses mixing an oil/varnish wipe-on finish and demonstrates a distressed paint finish. [ read more ]

Spray Gun Maintenance
Avoid problems and lengthen the life of your tool with two simple acts. [ read more ]

Wood Conditioner Confusion
Contradictory finishing information is frustrating. Here we clear up one example. [ read more ]

Fixing Finished Surfaces
Remove common surface problems with minimal damage and fuss [ read more ]

The Many Faces of Varnish
Despite their names, many of your finishing products simply are a form of varnish. [ read more ]

Choosing an Exterior Coating
Five different types of protection exist. Here's a guide to choosing the best one for your project. [ read more ]

Repairing Color Damage
If the scratch isn't deep, the fix isn't difficult. [ read more ]

Fixing Finish with French Polish
Sometimes it's a good technique for repairing damaged finishes. [ read more ]

Finish Both Sides? Not Necessary.
Leaving the underside of your tabletop bare doesn't cause warping. [ read more ]

Master the Wipe-on Finish
These products are easy to apply with good results – choosing the right one for the job is the hard part. [ read more ]

Finishing Wood Floors
With the right tools and equipment, you can finish (and refinish) your own hardwood floors. [ read more ]

Understanding Stains
Don't let the dizzying array of stain choices get you discombobulated [ read more ]

Thick & Thin of Wood Finishing
A penetrating look at protection. [ read more ]

Making Sense of Dyes
Don’t allow the packaging to cause you confusion. [ read more ]

Test to Find a Durable Finish
A few sample boards can save you from future finishing headaches. [ read more ]

The Case for Shellac
Long neglected in favor of oil and varnish finishes, here's a case for shellac. [ read more ]

The Best Way to Reglue Furniture
Of all the steps involved in restoring old furniture, regluing is by far the most important. Here's how to do it right. [ read more ]

Caring for Furniture
Some claims made by furniture-care products are misleading or just wrong. Find out the truth about these products. [ read more ]

Prevent, Remove and the Disguise Glue Splotches
There’s no finishing problem more frustrating than glue splotches. Here's what to do about them. [ read more ]

The Basics of Coloring Wood
Applying stain can make or break a project. Here's how to do it correctly. [ read more ]

Tinker Toys, Soccer Balls and Spaghetti
Essentiall there are only three types of top coat finishes. Know how they work and you'll be on your way to being a better finisher. [ read more ]

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