"Why am I still getting swirl marks on my workpiece?" It’s not a simple answer, but going through the below steps should get you to the swirl-free finish you are hoping to accomplish. Random orbital ...

In addition to finding the right sandpaper grit for your project, and knowing when you can stop refining (and stop sanding!), proper wood sanding technique is also important. From the editors of Fine ...

In my last article, I stated at the end that I had written a little over 1000 words and that after doing so I felt as though I was writing an argument in favor of using water-borne finishes. For those ...

Q: How can I apply a smooth finish on indoor wood? I’m never satisfied with the quality of finish I manage to achieve on my indoor wood projects. Even when I use tack cloths to wipe down the surface, ...

In a workshop, preparing materials before finishing is essential for a smooth, durable result. For metal this means cleaning, sanding and priming. Wood requires sanding and filling. Plastic needs ...

If you seek a truly stunning paint finish—the sort of mile-deep finish that reflects like a mirror—the time in the spray booth represents only a fraction of the investment. Prior to painting, dozens ...

Ashlyn is one of Forbes Home's in-house writers and a former civil engineer-turned content writer with over six years experience. Until recently, Ashlyn focused on creating content for Forbes Home as ...