Wood & Finishing:
Why Material Matters More Than Products
Every woodworking project begins long before the first cut is made, and it doesn’t end when the last coat of finish dries. The choices you make about wood — how it’s selected, prepared, and treated — shape everything that follows. Strength, stability, appearance, and longevity all start with the material itself.
One of the most common misconceptions in woodworking is that finishing is a separate step added at the end of a project. In reality, finishing is the final expression of decisions made much earlier. Grain orientation, wood species, moisture content, surface preparation, and even how a board is cut all determine how a finish will behave. No product can fix problems created upstream.
Wood is a natural material that expands and contracts with seasonal changes, absorbs and releases moisture, and responds to tools in ways that aren’t always predictable. Understanding this isn’t about memorizing technical terms — it’s about learning to work with the material instead of fighting it.
Finishing serves two main purposes: protection and appearance. Choosing the right finish isn’t about brands or trends, but about matching the finish to the wood, the project, and how the piece will be used. This page focuses on fundamentals over formulas, helping you achieve results that feel intentional, consistent, and far more enjoyable.
Hardwood vs Softwood
Topics:
Botanical definitions vs woodworking reality
Common hardwoods
Common softwoods
Choosing wood based on function, not labels
Understanding Wood as a Material
Topics:
Wood as a living material
Moisture content basics
Seasonal movement
Why wood moves differently across the grain
Engineered Wood Products
Topics:
Plywood
MDF
Particle board
When engineered products are appropriate
Limitations and tradeoffs
Wood Cuts & Grain Orientation
Topics:
Flatsawn, quartersawn, riftsawn
Grain direction and strength
Tear-out and cutting strategy
Visual vs structural considerations
Selecting Wood for Projects
Topics:
Cost vs performance
Availability
Indoor vs outdoor use
Beginner-friendly wood choices
Milling: Creating Flat, Square Stock
Topics:
Why lumber is rarely flat
Face vs edge reference surfaces
Jointing and planing concepts
Hand tools vs machines
Working with dimensional lumber
Sanding: Refining the Surface
Topics:
Grit progression
When to stop sanding
Over-sanding risks
Power sanding vs hand sanding
Grain direction considerations
Surface Preparation: Setting the Finish Up for Success
Topics:
Cleaning dust properly
Raising the grain
Dealing with glue squeeze-out
Filling defects
Why “one last pass” often ruins a surface
Choosing the Right Finish
Topics:
Durability requirements
Moisture exposure
Repairability
Beginner-friendly finishes
Understanding Wood Finishes
Subsections:
Oil finishes
Film finishes
Penetrating vs surface finishes
Protection vs appearance
Applying Finishes Correctly
Topics:
Application methods
Thin vs thick coats
Dry time vs cure time
Dust management during finishing
Common Finishing Mistakes
Examples:
Poor prep
Rushing coats
Wrong finish selection
Ignoring environment
Finishing as a Skill
Topics:
Testing on scrap
Learning from mistakes
Building repeatable processes
Accepting imperfection
Keep Learning Woodworking Basics
If you want to continue building your woodworking skills, these guides cover the core foundations that apply to every project:
Woodworking Basics
The fundamental skills and concepts every woodworker should understand before tackling projects.
Woodworking Tools
How to choose, use, and build a tool kit that grows with your skills.
Woodworking Projects
What to build, when to build it, and how projects should evolve as your experience grows.
Setting Up the Woodworking Shop
Practical guidance for organizing a safe, efficient workspace in a garage, basement, or shared space.
Wood & Finishing
Understanding wood behavior, surface preparation, and finishing fundamentals.
Woodworking History
How traditional techniques shaped modern woodworking—and why they still matter today.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Enjoy exclusive special deals available only to our subscribers.