Testing - 1, 2, 3

[HoboMonk]

“Did you test the finish before you ruined your project?”

Here's a short tongue-in-cheek list of seldom tried solutions for finishing:

1. Read the instructions.

Strangely enough, manufacturers are known to print usage instructions for their finishing products right on the label! I know that this sounds counter-intuitive and revolutionary but it's true. Granted, you may need a magnifying glass to read the small print but it's there.

2. Check with the vendor's website.

Finishing products vendors like to communicate with their customers. It's good for business. Sometimes you can even email them with a question. Who better to ask.

3. Take a class, watch a video, or read a book.

Believe it or not, there are more instructional materials for finishing than any other woodworking topic. Enough said.

4. Treat all advise you get on the Internet forums from Webites with a grain of salt.

I'm convinced that there are two type of woodworkers that don't know how to finish:

* those that ask questions AFTER they have tried an unknown finish on their project.

* those that offer advice by merely quoting the herd - Internet echoers.

5. Don't eat yellow snow.

[duckkisser]

i had to learn rule 5 the hard way........hmmmm i do want a lemon snowcone right now