I've been watching the latest poll on the blog: Favorite Woodworking Activities. People have both common and diverse likes, but... no one likes finishing? I find this most strange. One of my favorite activities is finishing. Whether it's applying a finish to an old hunk of furniture I've restored or the finish to a new piece of woodwork, I find finishing to be restful, meditative and rewarding.
When else can you experience the joy of watching the wooden surface bloom under your expectant gaze? What was pretty but understated glistens, gains depth and life. Really folks, why don't you like finishing?
Brushing on a shellac finish is most calming. It's an exercise in muscular control, in understanding wood grain and wood movement. Building up a brushed on shellac finish is great stuff. It goes on clear, is scuffed during scraping, is clarified again as each coat is applied and either shines or glows when rubbed out with pumice or rottenstone.
Wax is a delight. It smells good. It feels good. It deepens the coloration of the wood without filling the pores, leaving a welcome tactile sensation for the hand.
Varnish can look great when it imparts an amber hue to outdoor woodwork. Fairly easy to apply and quick to change the look of that weathered old wood into something warm and friendly.
Padding on oil is fun. It's sloppy. It smells good. It gets all over the place. It makes the wood change color in an instant, bringing to life forms and images you may not have known were there.
So what's not to like about finishing?
Till next, most grumpily, Gary
