Wood finishing has a reputation for being either intimidatingly technical or frustratingly vague - books that either drown you in chemistry or wave their hands at "just apply evenly." The Complete Wood Finishing Handbook does neither.

Built around 24 hands-on projects, this book takes a genuinely mixed-level approach: true beginners can start with Project 1 and build every foundational skill in order, while more experienced woodworkers can jump straight to spray lacquer, French polishing, or advanced color-matching techniques. Each project stands on its own, with a clear skill level, an honest time estimate, and a note on exactly which earlier skills it builds on - so you always know what you need to know before you start.

Inside, you'll learn:

The full range of wipe-on and brushed finishes - oil, wiping varnish, and polyurethane
Staining techniques that actually prevent blotching, including gel stain and dye
Padding and French polishing, from your first pad to a full mirror-gloss finish
HVLP spray technique, toning, and glazing for professional-level color control
Grain filling, ebonizing, milk paint, and chalk-style paint finishes
How to strip and refinish a secondhand piece safely
Wet-sanding and rubbing out a finish to a true satin or gloss sheen
>The book closes with a capstone project that brings every technique together on a single heirloom-quality piece - plus a glossary, a symptom-based troubleshooting index, and 40 reference tables covering everything from sandpaper grits to finish compatibility, so the book keeps working for you long after you've finished reading it.
>Whether you're finishing your first project or your fiftieth, The Complete Wood Finishing Handbook is the reference you'll keep coming back to.