99% of Beginners Don't Know These 5 Wood Finishing Secrets!

99% of Beginners Don't Know These 5 Wood Finishing Secrets!

Wood finishing is easy if you avoid these 5 mistakes. I’ll show you how to properly sand, stain, and clear coat your woodworking projects.

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*Videos To Watch Next*
How to Build the Table in this Video – https://youtu.be/SMC_85ULxa8
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CA Glue Brown – https://amzn.to/3J4EWW8
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CA Glue Clear – https://amzn.to/3XqkhR1
Activator for CA Glue – https://amzn.to/3iTiWTw
Sanding Contour Pad – https://amzn.to/3kypfMX
Sanding Mouse – https://amzn.to/3kAhCFy
Sand Paper I Use – https://amzn.to/3WmjPlm
3M Sander (Amazon) – https://amzn.to/3D6iiJf
3M Sander (TayTools 20% off) – https://lddy.no/1emh0
Kreg Project Blocks (Amazon) – https://amzn.to/3D62575
Kreg Project Blocks (Acme Tools) – https://imp.i284638.net/9WmAvY
Microfiber Towels – https://amzn.to/3XPdi3U
Mineral Spirits – https://amzn.to/3wiHad1
Pre-Stain Conditioner – https://amzn.to/3wp2228
Spray Laquer – https://amzn.to/3XQNNPD
Laquer in Quart Can – https://amzn.to/3ktWjWi
HVLP Sprayers – https://amzn.to/3QUco3y
Stain I Used for Top – https://amzn.to/3ZW5z5F
Stain for Base – https://amzn.to/3D49Gmi
Gloves – https://amzn.to/3ZMysS1

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Tripod for my phone – https://amzn.to/3D1hohm
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0:00 How to Stain and Finish Wood
0:54 Removing Wood Glue
1:58 How to Fill Knot Holes in Wood
3:46 How to Sand Wood
5:25 Prepare Wood for Stain
6:20 The Secret to flawless wood finish on pine
7:08 How to Apply Stain to Wood
9:35 Circle Marks in Wood Finish
10:02 Light Spots after Staining Wood
10:53 Wood Staining Mistakes
12:17 How to Apply Laquer to Wood
12:54 Polyurethane vs Laquer
18:18 Applying Laquer Tips and Tricks

50 Comments

  1. Brendan Dowling on April 3, 2023 at 8:03 am

    The scenario of the used rags spontaneously combusting actually happened to me albeit involving an autobody shop. My car was in the shop for a bumper repair and the owner of the shop, who lived nearby, was varnishing his stairs after work. For whatever reason he decided to dispose of the rags in the garbage in the shop that other rags with oils and other car related chemicals were thrown in. That night, the rags combusted and burned down the whole shop with my car inside. My car was in the paint part of the shop with its own fire suppression so it didn’t completely go up in flames but the white car came out looking like a roasted marshmellow. A nice golden brown color. I actually walked away from the whole ordeal with a new and nicer car for less than the car that was in the shop. Other people’s cars outside of the shop were completely burned to a crisp unfortunately.



  2. The Scottish Lion on April 3, 2023 at 8:05 am

    Hey Matt, could you do a tutorial on paint sprayer setup with an air compressor



  3. Storywinds on April 3, 2023 at 8:08 am

    This is a very helpful video! Thanks! And, thanks for explaining all the reasons why you should fill in a knot hole with wood glue! 🙂



  4. Seth Moening on April 3, 2023 at 8:08 am

    Lacquer or Polyurethane?? Advice on the pros/cons of each??



  5. Dan Willett on April 3, 2023 at 8:09 am

    Good call on mentioning the rags catching on fire. I’m a professional painter and I’ve seen it happen to a few guys in the trades. I like to sumerge mine in a bucket of water



  6. Adam Shiminski on April 3, 2023 at 8:09 am

    Your real good at what you do. I just got a 45’x24’ workshop and I’ll put you on my flat screen while I’m working!



  7. TurtleShell 8024 on April 3, 2023 at 8:09 am

    Why are you doing the Masonic _sworn secrecy_ sign on the thumbnail? What it’s got to do with wood working?🤔



  8. XxIcedecknightxX on April 3, 2023 at 8:10 am

    Stain doesn’t seal the wood unless it actually has a mixture of some urethane or any hardner.



  9. kent richardson on April 3, 2023 at 8:11 am

    I’ve seen two fires start from oily rags,one was in a pile in the driveway like you did without all the leaves and brush. Put rags,gloves etc in a can or bucket with water in it. Good luck.



  10. Saw Dust on April 3, 2023 at 8:11 am

    Stain pretty much stinks. It is blotchy and uneven absorbing. If you need to color wood, I think that you will have more success by using wood dye.



  11. Jarad Gordon on April 3, 2023 at 8:12 am

    I feel like you’re on the right track about lacquer but if you’re going to use a hvlp or a lvlp spray gun to spray go ahead and get precat lacquer from Sherwin Williams. It is much more durable and does not fog up on you like brushing lacquer. I started off spraying mixed down brushing lacquer and it’s not even close as to using precat lacquer. Also when thinning down lacquer consider using Acetone it will speed up the drying process. Hope this helps



  12. Les McQueen on April 3, 2023 at 8:15 am

    That’s a nice pair of boot there Matt.



  13. Seth Moening on April 3, 2023 at 8:15 am

    I normally finish off with 320 grit on my final pass of sanding. Mostly work with walnut, maple, Oak, and harder woods



  14. SLIM'S BOXING COMMENTARIES on April 3, 2023 at 8:16 am

    Hey man.. Love the content but I have a question if u don’t mind me asking about the spray activator u use on the CA glue?? Does that affect the finish like glue would if u don’t sand it out??



  15. Brian on April 3, 2023 at 8:19 am

    Pine is so difficult to stain it should be considered advanced. But pine is so fun because it’s so soft



  16. Bushrat on April 3, 2023 at 8:21 am

    Very complete and well presented



  17. Omar Elgazzar on April 3, 2023 at 8:24 am

    Great video thanks Matt, wish that I saw this one before finishing off my first project 😅, I think I did 3 mistakes bundled up on that project. Just a quick question there, fillers react differently to staining, how would you tackle that to make sure that the overall finish looks good?



  18. Mike L on April 3, 2023 at 8:24 am

    Put oily rags in a bucket of water with Dawn dishwashing liquid for 24 hours, then dispose in accordance with your local ordinances.



  19. Wolfman on April 3, 2023 at 8:24 am

    Awesome Tips!!!! Thank You!!!!!! Much Appreciated!!!!👍😎🤯



  20. ano T on April 3, 2023 at 8:26 am

    Does anyone know how you get the Shea Mcgee color for would? It’s fairly white, not yellow. So i don’t think it’s just clear



  21. Armida Calvillo on April 3, 2023 at 8:26 am

    How do you prep the wood if you want to paint the wood?



  22. WestSideSlide on April 3, 2023 at 8:27 am

    those colors look good together



  23. soledude on April 3, 2023 at 8:28 am

    👍👍👍



  24. Mike Fitzpatrick on April 3, 2023 at 8:30 am

    Nice video as always. question, when I use pocket screws I have an issue with the target piece wanting to walk away as the screw goes in. in most cases I can clamp the two pieces so this doesn’t happen. what do you do to prevent this with pieces you can’t clamp?



  25. christopher harris on April 3, 2023 at 8:32 am

    Great technical vid



  26. Jeff Hester on April 3, 2023 at 8:32 am

    Great video, thank you. The colored superglue is something I have to try. Clear glue is visible even dabbing stain under it first.



  27. Raj Dann on April 3, 2023 at 8:33 am

    Caribbean viewer locked on….luv the tea…



  28. PaganWizard on April 3, 2023 at 8:40 am

    There is something I always do when sanding, regardless of method, or species of wood. Lightly scribble pencil lines all over your project, when the pencil lines are gone, switch up to the next grit, this greatly prevents damage from over sanding. When using lacquer, Jonathan Katz-Moses did a great video on this a while back (he said it was his favorite finish) you really don’t have to worry about getting all the sanding dust off your project between coats of lacquer. He shows how the next coat liquefies the dust, and makes it blend into the new coat. Having brought that up, there is a problem I have experienced with a few rattle can lacquer finishes, and that is clouding. I always spray lacquer outdoors, on a day that is at least 7-10 degrees above minimum requirements, low humidity, and shield the project from any flying debris or bugs. Every once in a while, I am on the 3rd of 4 coats, and when I come back to lay down the final coat, the project is ruined because of clouding. I switched to HVLP, and the problem is gone.



  29. Kings Fine Woodworking on April 3, 2023 at 8:40 am

    I definitely love that Deft Satin Lacquer, probably my favorite, and definitely one of the easiest and most forgiving finishes. Great video!



  30. allan gordon on April 3, 2023 at 8:40 am

    Hi Instead of using prestain which by the way is hard to find in the uk we tend to use teabags for pine and high tannin soft woods just get 2 teabags and put in a cup of warm water and leave till cool then paint on your pine and let dry this does 2 things it brings out the tannin in the wood and stops blotching especially on soft woods it also raise’s the grain which you can sand down. Great videos by the way



  31. jim harter on April 3, 2023 at 8:41 am

    Hey, Matt– What type of mats do you use for your floor covering, and does it go under the stationary tools? Also do wheels roll well on it? Thanks, and keep those great vids coming!



  32. stephen on April 3, 2023 at 8:41 am

    Please, God, don’t let him put that dark stain on pine! Please!



  33. cthulhuhead on April 3, 2023 at 8:42 am

    For lacquer, which I do like best, even a respirator will not save you if you’re in an enclosed space. Respirator always, outside if practical, otherwise open the shop/garage doors n windows and get some airflow.



  34. Jimmy Johnson on April 3, 2023 at 8:42 am

    An old timer taught me to use old pantyhose for applicators cuz there is no lint.



  35. zib zap on April 3, 2023 at 8:42 am

    if you don’t have woodworking teachers, get some criticism from stains.



  36. patrick dunn on April 3, 2023 at 8:43 am

    Even though I have moved on the hardwood in the last year, I still love building stuff out of pine… It’s what I started on



  37. Jim Templin on April 3, 2023 at 8:45 am

    I see you’re using the Ryobi…. Welcome to the family.



  38. Andrew Fenner on April 3, 2023 at 8:49 am

    When you say apply it “Liberally” that means a retarded amount right? 😂



  39. Rod's Comfortble Creations on April 3, 2023 at 8:51 am

    Could you re do another project pricing video. I can’t remember your last one but with 2023 rolling in and pockets are tighter than ever what do you suggest for pricing. Also, yes lacquer I use the cans but was wondering if I could do bigger projects with it I do have a Fuji paint sprayer for it.



  40. Ahmed Alsanea on April 3, 2023 at 8:51 am

    finally a good video other than product videos



  41. Last days of humanity on April 3, 2023 at 8:52 am

    Why would the cloth with paint self combust? I like to know the reason of things not to do.



  42. Jon Hayden on April 3, 2023 at 8:52 am

    I love the stains at Home Depot that state prestaining not required. They give a consistent stain on pine. I never use pre stain conditioner now.



  43. The Next on April 3, 2023 at 8:52 am

    For the CA, I use starbond as well. If you are doing knotholes, I suggest if it’s big enough to do a seal coat, do it. Use cheap thin foam brush, seal coat and spray (very thin). What happens is it will bubble on you underneath if you just pour without seal (typically, not always!). Starbond will say one drop per square inch at most. This means it’s not deep pour, so on a 1/2" knothole, if you pour it in there then hit it with the spray to set it you will get bubbles UNDERNEATH. What I suggest is you wait about 5-10 minutes and if a bubble appears hit it with a heatgun or a quick pass with a torch. Rinse and repeat for about 20 minutes or so, then set it and that normally is good.



  44. imsowright90 on April 3, 2023 at 8:53 am

    Thanks for the tips.



  45. Normies Unite on April 3, 2023 at 8:54 am

    The fire inspector in me is soooooo grateful you talked about disposal and the fire risk. I have investigated fires due to this. Take it seriously!



  46. Brian Birtcher on April 3, 2023 at 8:55 am

    I have a tiki bar beside my pool and it needs refinished. Need something outdoor and water-resistant.



  47. Brian on April 3, 2023 at 8:55 am

    Please don’t put something you think will catch fire next to or ontop of dry leaves



  48. tchevrier on April 3, 2023 at 8:59 am

    rattle can ???? Never heard that expression before.



  49. Ryan M on April 3, 2023 at 8:59 am

    Valuable knowledge sir. Thank you!



  50. 731 Woodworks on April 3, 2023 at 9:01 am

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    🎥 Watch Next – How to Build the Table in this Video – https://youtu.be/SMC_85ULxa8
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