Is the chest of drawers in your bedroom finished in lacquer or oil? Will it damage the surface if you set a wet glass down on a waxed table? Should you use ammonia to clean a butcher block? Most ...

Q. I recently bought a house where the previous owner had repurposed a sideboard/credenza to create the bathroom vanity. It has a waterproof finish on the top with a luster, but not as shiny as I ...

Should we try to remove the varnish? Or just apply a really good beeswax furniture polish and leave it at that? Q: We acquired a Knabe baby grand piano from a neighbor whose grandfather purchased it ...

Shellac could be making a comeback. It was shoved aside more than 50 years ago in favor of more durable and synthetic wood finishes. But as more consumers are demanding natural products, they’re ...

Q: We just stripped six layers of paint off the front door of our 1820s house. I think the door is made of chestnut. We don’t want to repaint it, and we don’t like polyurethane. What’s the best ...

The film "Wood Finishing" (1956) provides a comprehensive guide on how to select and apply various wood finishes. It emphasizes the importance of preparing a smooth surface before finishing, discusses ...