My buddy Chuck called me the other day and asked me to help out with a project. His wife, Kate, had lost her mother earlier in the year. When her mom’s estate was divided up, Kate got her mom’s Singer ...

My old cottage has bead board in the upstairs bedrooms that has been varnished. It looks very nice, but some of the varnish has bubbled. How can I get rid of that bubbling? A. First, check to see if ...

I discuss high-tech wood coatings. But from time to time, I will discuss something that is tried and true and, perhaps, not so high tech. Shellac is definitely a low-tech product. It is the secretion ...

Next time you’re working on a project that needs a durable wood finish, don’t grab the polyurethane. Follow [Victor Ola’s] advice and raid your grandparent’s record cabinet for some old 78 records.

How do you get the perfect color on custom wooden works? Test samples! This show is completely dedicated to demystifying the finishing process. This episode shows the steps needed to finish with style ...

To enhance and protect the natural beauty of wood, nothing compares with a clear finish. Clear finishes bring out texture and natural grain while sealing the wood against stains, moisture and dirt.

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 ...

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 ...

Each week, handyman Art Flavell will answer readers’ inquiries on home repairs. If you have a question, write to Art Flavell, Orlando Sentinel, 720 Burleigh Blvd., Tavares 32778. Q: I had a leak in my ...