Michael Dresdner

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Articles from Michael Dresdner

• What Ingredients Are in Cellulose Sanding Sealer and Friction Polish and Can You Make Them at Home

  Sanding Sealer, friction polish and Lacquer thinner are all useful turning and finishing products, but what is in them, where do you get them, and can you make your own?

  
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  How to Seal Edges of MDF Using Wood Filler, Wood Putty, or Hide Glue

  While the exterior of MDF is burnished, the porous interior can cause difficulty during finishing, our expert shares some tips for filling these gaps.

  
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  How to Get a Shiny Finish with Lacquer, Shellac, Varnish or Polyurethane

  For some projects, a clear, shiny finish is perfect, but even good woodworkers struggle with smooth finishes, our expert lends his advice.

  
• Should You Apply Finish to the Interior of a Cedar Blanket Chest

  Common practice is not to apply finish to the inside of a cedar chest, our expert explains if this is old wisdom or just because it softens finish.

  
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  Choosing Interior and Exterior Finishing Supplies

  Woodworkers of all experience levels face tough choices when it comes to finishing, our expert explains how to choose interior and exterior finishing supplies.

  
• Does Going Green with Woodworking Finishing Products Actually Matter?

  The environmental impact of finishing products is difficult to slow down, but simple changes in techniques can seriously reduce an individual’s impact on the environment.

  
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  Green Finishing Products: Oil- and Water-Based Finishes, Shellac, Beeswax and More

  Woodworkers are starting to take more note about what impact finishing products have on the environment and how to personally make less impact.

  
• What Are the Dangers of Formaldehyde in Varnish and Lacquer Wood Finishes

  Formaldehyde is an ingredient in catalyzed and pre-cat lacquers and conversion varnishes, but how much danger do they pose to end users?

  
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  What Are VOC and HAP and What Do They Mean for Green Woodworking

  As woodworking science gets better and environmental concerns increase, VOCs and HAPs in finishing products have come under greater scrutiny.

  
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  How to Calculate How Many Coats of Wood Finish or Paint Are In One Coat

  Calculating how far you can push your paint or finish requires a bit of calculation, including the type of wood and how much you prefer to use.