Woodworking: Finishing Essentials from Udemy

The finishing process can be intimidating. With so many hours invested in a project, it feels as though one false move while finishing can undo all your hard work. That’s why we created this course, in conjunction with Woodworkers Guild of America. We’ll demystify finishes that are common in the marketplace, help you understand which finish is best for your projects, and provide great preparation and application tips that will help you achieve a better finish.

No exotic finishes or obscure techniques, you’ll find that the approach taken in this course is very mainstream. That makes it accessible, and makes it easier for you to realize success with your finishing processes. With the wide array of products and application tips shown in this course, you’re sure to find a few that work with your projects, your shop, and your approach to woodworking.

Cotton rags, cheese cloth, home center off-the-shelf brushes, aerosol finish… It’s how you use these items that is most important, and we’re here to teach you. With our application techniques in hand you’ll be more confident about choosing stains and top coats, and finding the best application method for each.

You’ll find this very helpful as you decide which finishes to use, and create your finish shopping list.

In addition to the hands-on video instruction you’ll receive, this class provides you with some downloadable resources and helpful information to print and keep, including the detailed Class Guide mentioned above as a recap of the key points of the class instruction and a resources document that will give you information on the products you’ll see in the course.

What's inside

Learning objectives

This woodworking course will provide preparation and application tips to achieve the best finish.
Help you understand what finish is best for your projects.

Easy to use finishing techniques will products that are readily available.

This woodworking course will provide preparation and application tips to achieve the best finish.
Help you understand what finish is best for your projects.
Easy to use finishing techniques will products that are readily available.

Syllabus

Finishing Essentials

Getting ready for finish is as important (or perhaps more important) than the finishing process. From sanding to grain filling to pre-treating, let’s make sure your material is ready for finish before you make the first brush stroke. We’ll provide you with methods that eliminate blotchy finishes, prevent end grain from being darker than other surfaces, and lead to a silky smooth finish.

Pigments are different from dyes, and we’ll show you the difference, plus talk about advantages and disadvantages of each. In addition to standard home center stains, we’ll explore aniline dye and look at the advantages it provides for your finishing work.

Applying finish correctly is not as simple as wiping it on with any old rag. Wiping on can work, and we’ll show you how to create a shop-made finishing pad that helps reduce streaks in your finish. We’ll also discuss different types of brushes; which are best for water-based and solvent-based finishes, and what style of brush tip to look for to achieve optimal results.

Before applying a top coat you need to understand what benefits it offers, and what disadvantages it may have. Furniture oil, shellac, lacquer, varnish, water-based finish… we’ll help you determine which finish is the best one for each project you build by explaining working characteristics, how much protection it provides, and what it takes to get a smooth top coat.

George wraps up this class with a reminder to practice the fundamental finishing techniques you learned, and you’ll be on your way to making every one of your future projects look their very best.

George discusses his tips on how to avoid stress and mistakes when finishing your projects.

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Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Focuses on readily available products and easy-to-use techniques, making it accessible for woodworkers of varying skill levels

Explores the differences between pigments and dyes, including aniline dye, which can broaden a woodworker's finishing options

Covers preparing wood for finishing, including sanding, grain filling, and pre-treating, which are essential for achieving professional results

Discusses various top coats like furniture oil, shellac, lacquer, varnish, and water-based finishes, helping woodworkers choose the best option for each project

Teaches how to create a shop-made finishing pad, which is a practical and cost-effective technique for applying finishes evenly

Emphasizes the importance of practicing fundamental finishing techniques, which is crucial for continuous improvement and mastery

Reviews summary

Practical finishing for home woodworkers

According to learners, this course is a highly practical introduction to wood finishing, particularly effective for hobbyists and beginners. Students appreciate how the course demystifies the process and focuses on common, accessible products and techniques like brushing and wiping. The instructor, George, is consistently praised for his clear explanations and encouraging approach, making finishing less intimidating. While many find it provides a solid foundation and improves their results, some more experienced woodworkers note a lack of depth on advanced topics, such as spray finishing or specific wood reactions. Overall, it's seen as an excellent resource for home woodworkers looking to gain confidence.

Downloadable guide and resources are helpful.

"Useful downloadable guide too."

"The downloadable guide is okay."

"The downloadable guides were a nice bonus."

Provides valuable surface preparation tips.

"The sections on surface prep were particularly helpful."

"The tips on preventing blotchiness were invaluable."

"Good focus on prep and application techniques."

Instructor George explains concepts simply.

"George explains it so well."

"George is knowledgeable and presents the information in a straightforward manner."

"George is a great instructor – calm, clear, and very practical."

"George is clear and concise."

Uses common products and real-world methods.

"George gives great practical advice that really demystifies the finishing process."

"He focuses on common products and techniques you'll actually use in your shop..."

"...shows you how to get good results with basic tools and materials."

"The focus on common, affordable products is a big plus."

Perfect for home woodworkers & novices.

"Highly recommended for hobbyist woodworkers."

"Definitely aimed at the home woodworker, which is exactly what I needed."

"Perfect for the weekend woodworker."

"If you know nothing about finishing, this is a start. Good for complete novices, perhaps."

Too basic for experienced users, misses advanced topics.

"It's fine for absolute beginners, but if you have some experience, you might find it a bit too basic."

"It's not super in-depth on advanced techniques or spray finishing..."

"...felt it lacked depth on specific types of wood, troubleshooting, and couldn't hurt to touch on spray application..."

"If you have some finishing experience, you might find it too rudimentary."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Woodworking: Finishing Essentials with these activities:

Practice Sanding Techniques

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Refine your sanding skills to ensure a smooth surface before applying finishes, preventing blotchy results and enhancing the final look.

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Gather various grits of sandpaper and a sanding block.
Practice sanding on scrap wood, progressing through grits.
Inspect the surface for imperfections and address them.

Watch Online Finishing Tutorials

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Supplement your learning by watching online tutorials that demonstrate various finishing techniques and offer additional tips and tricks.

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Search for reputable woodworking finishing tutorials online.
Watch tutorials focusing on techniques covered in the course.
Take notes on new information and try out the techniques.

Understanding Wood Finishing

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Deepen your understanding of different wood finishes and their properties to make informed decisions for your projects.

View Understanding Wood Finishing, 3rd Revised... on Amazon

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Obtain a copy of 'Understanding Wood Finishing'.
Read chapters related to the finishes covered in the course.
Take notes on key concepts and application techniques.

Four other activities

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Practice Applying Different Finishes

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Reinforce your understanding of finish application by practicing with various finishes on scrap wood.

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Gather different types of wood finishes (e.g., oil, varnish, lacquer).
Prepare several pieces of scrap wood with sanding.
Apply each finish according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Evaluate the results and note any challenges.

Document Your Finishing Process

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Solidify your learning by documenting each step of your finishing process, including materials used, techniques applied, and observations made.

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Choose a small woodworking project to finish.
Document each step with photos and detailed notes.
Reflect on the process and identify areas for improvement.

Flexner on Finishing

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Learn to troubleshoot common finishing problems and refine your techniques for achieving professional-quality results.

View Wood Finishing 101, Revised Edition on Amazon

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Obtain a copy of 'Flexner on Finishing'.
Focus on chapters addressing common finishing problems.
Apply the troubleshooting techniques to your own projects.

Build a Small Project and Finish It

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Apply the knowledge and skills gained in the course by building and finishing a small woodworking project from start to finish.

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Choose a small project (e.g., a box, a small table).
Build the project according to your chosen design.
Prepare the surface for finishing with sanding and other techniques.
Apply the finish of your choice, following the course guidelines.

Career center

Learners who complete Woodworking: Finishing Essentials will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Furniture Maker

A furniture maker creates functional and aesthetically pleasing pieces, and the quality of the finish is paramount. This course on woodworking finishing helps a furniture maker to understand the best finishing products and application techniques for their projects. The course emphasizes mainstream, accessible techniques, which ensures that the furniture maker can reliably achieve a high quality finish. It is particularly useful that the course covers preparation, such as sanding and grain filling, which are key to a smooth finish. A furniture maker will also benefit from an understanding of pigments, dyes, and various top coats.

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Cabinet Maker

Cabinet makers construct and install custom cabinetry, and a flawless finish elevates their work. This woodworking finishing course helps a cabinet maker learn how to select the right finish for different wood types and environments. The course discusses crucial preparation methods to avoid blotchy finishes, a common problem in cabinet work, and ensures consistent and high-quality results. The course explores different application techniques, such as using shop made finishing pads which is useful for a job where finish quality is essential because the customer will see it every day.

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Woodworker

A woodworker crafts various items from wood, and this course helps a woodworker to refine their finishing skills. The course’s focus on mainstream techniques and readily available products makes it practical and accessible for any woodworker. It is particularly helpful that the course covers how to choose the best top coats for a project, which improves the longevity and aesthetic appeal of their creations. The course walks through common issues that beset woodworkers and offers solutions, as well as provides downloadable resources, allowing woodworkers to perfect their craft.

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Luthier

A luthier builds and repairs stringed instruments, where the finish is not only aesthetic but critical to the instrument's sound and protection. This course provides a luthier with the knowledge to select appropriate finishes, and it specifically helps the luthier learn how to apply finishes correctly. The course material on different types of brushes is especially helpful for achieving the precise application needed for musical instruments. The course’s focus on various top coats also helps a luthier select the optimal protection for an instrument.

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Wood Finishing Specialist

A wood finishing specialist focuses solely on the process of finishing wood surfaces, which involves a detailed understanding of application and materials. This course helps the wood finishing specialist refine finishing techniques and understand the best products to use in various contexts. The course emphasizes preparation, and also explains how to avoid blotchy finishes, which are crucial for this role. The course teaches how to apply finish correctly, as well as the differences between pigments and dyes, which helps specialists enhance the quality of their work.

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Restoration Specialist

Restoration specialists work to preserve and restore antique and damaged wooden items and an understanding of historical finishing techniques is important. This course's focus on mainstream, accessible finishing methods helps a restoration specialist maintain the original or desired appearance of objects. The course's discussion of different finishes, like shellac, lacquer, and varnish, and their characteristics helps the specialist choose the best option for each restoration project. The course’s tips on avoiding stress and mistakes will help a specialist focus on the craft.

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Custom Woodworker

Custom woodworkers create unique, one-of-a-kind pieces where the quality of finish is paramount. This course is useful for a custom woodworker to refine their finishing skills and understand how to achieve a perfect finish on any project. The course helps woodworkers to understand the best stains and top coats and how to apply them. This ensures that a custom woodworker delivers unique, high quality products. The course also provides downloadable resources that a custom woodworker can refer to in their own workshop.

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Artisan

Artisans create a wide variety of handmade goods, utilizing many different materials. This course helps an artisan use wood confidently in their art by showing different methods of finishing wood. The course emphasizes common finishes, such as stains and top coats, which helps an artisan use wood as simply another tool for artistic expression. An artisan will also gain a better understanding of how to avoid mistakes and stress, leading to more enjoyable and creative work. This course will give artisans the information they need to succeed.

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Hobbyist Woodworker

A hobbyist woodworker creates projects for personal enjoyment or as gifts. This course helps a hobbyist woodworker improve the quality of their finished projects by understanding the basics of wood finishing. The course’s instruction on readily available products and mainstream techniques makes the process less intimidating and more accessible to hobbyists. The class is helpful to a hobbyist because it covers a variety of finishing methods, including using a shop-made pad to reduce streaks. This course may be useful for any hobbyist.

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Fine Artist

A fine artist creates artistic works. This course may be helpful for fine artists who incorporate wood into their sculptures or installations. The skills taught in the course help fine artists prepare wood for different paints and finishes, and may provide important information on how to achieve particular effects with wood. The course will help fine artists who use wood in their practice to achieve their creative vision. This course may be useful to artists who are interested in wood.

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Set Designer

A set designer creates the visual elements for theater, film, and television. This course may be useful for providing set designers with the knowledge to finish wood in many forms for a stage or set. The course's instruction on different types of finishes and application methods will help set designers create a variety of looks and styles. The course helps them enhance the overall aesthetic of their sets. This course may be useful to a set designer.

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Model Maker

A model maker creates scaled replicas of objects. This course may be useful for a model maker who uses wood in their projects. The course’s instruction on how to prepare wood for finishing will help a model maker achieve a professional look. The course also introduces a variety of finishes, which may be useful for different types of models. The course may be useful to model makers who wish to use wood.

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Wood Shop Teacher

A wood shop teacher instructs students on woodworking techniques. This course may be useful for a wood shop teacher to learn new techniques and ways of explaining finishing, but its focus is not directly on teaching. While the course does not cover pedagogical methods, the course’s emphasis on clear instruction may be useful. Teachers will benefit from the accessible instruction and downloadable resources included. This course may be useful to a wood shop teacher wishing to learn about finishing.

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Interior designer

Interior designers plan and design the interiors of buildings. This course may be useful for interior designers who want to understand how wood finishes impact the aesthetic of a space. This course provides basic knowledge about wood finishing, such as preparation and application, but is not directly related. The course may help designers make more informed decisions about wood and finishes, but it is not a primary skill for interior design. This course may be useful for interior designers.

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General Contractor

A general contractor manages construction projects but does not typically perform fine woodworking tasks. This course may be somewhat useful for a general contractor who supervises projects that include woodworking. The course provides basic information on finishing methods, but it is not a core skill for general contracting. This course may be helpful if the projects involve installing finished wood elements, but it is not essential. This course may be useful to a general contractor.

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Woodworking

Finishing Essentials

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Practical finishing for home woodworkers

Activities

Career center

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