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Water-Based Finish Tips

Products that “Play Nice” with Emtech Water Based Wood Finishes

You probably know I make a full line of water based wood finishes – everything from primers and sealers, to stains and topcoats. And while I’d like to think you’re using all of them, all the time… I know that’s not the case. There are some very good wood finishing products made by companies other […]

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Can You Apply Water-Based Sealer over an Oil-Based Stain?

(Updated July 2020) Sometimes you’re working on a project and you realize you’ve got some oil stain that you want to use or finish up—or simply that you’d applied an oil-based stain, but you’re wanting to use your EMTECH water-based Sealer (for example, USH 3000 UltraSeal-Water Based Shellac Sealer or EM1000 Universal Sanding Sealer) on top

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Brushing a Water Based Finish

We covered good ground in our last topic: “The best spray equipment to use for water based finishes.” Your responses were excellent! Today, let’s answer the next obvious question:  Can a water based finish be brush applied? Yes, they can! It’s true: many water based formulas are engineered strictly for spray application. But others, like

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The Best Spray Equipment for a Water Based Finish

If you’re a regular reader, you know I dispense advice based on the frequency of the questions being asked. Notes from the Emtech Lab has covered a lot of ground over the past six months, but we have not touched on perhaps the most important topic yet – what type of spray equipment to use

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What Top Wood Finishers Do that Can Save You Tons of Time

You’ve heard me say the No. 1 rule of wood finishing is to “take your time.” It’s true — there are certain things you simply can’t rush. But being efficient is not the same as “rushing,” and there ARE ways you can get more done in less time. While visiting the shops of some of

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My Wood Finishing Troubleshooting Cheat Sheet: Water and Chemical Resistance

Here it is… The last step of my wood finishing troubleshooting “cheat sheet.” Next week we’ll move on to brand new tips and topics. For now, let’s conclude this series with Step 5: Water and Chemical Resistance of the Finished Piece.  Yes, this is related to last week’s tips on “drying and curing,” and falls

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My Wood Finishing Troubleshooting Cheat Sheet: Managing the Drying and Curing of Finished Parts

We’ve reached the final two steps of my Troubleshooting Cheat Sheet (totally new tips/topics will follow, I promise). Thanks to Rob C. and Anthony D. for your blog comments on last week’s subject: “Compatibility of Primers and Pigmented Topcoats”. Today, let’s talk about Step 4: Managing the Drying and Curing of Finished Parts. As finishers

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Credit Paul Loney

My Wood Finishing Troubleshooting Cheat Sheet: Primers and Pigmented Topcoats Compatibility

Glad you are finding value in the wood finishing troubleshooting cheat sheet I’ve been sharing. Big thanks to Blair L., Dan L., Barry, and Russ for their blog comments last week about, “Step 2: Stain and Topcoat Compatibility,” including… “Keep the advice coming.” “This is timely.” And… “Seriously helped me.” I must admit, it feels

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My Wood Finishing Troubleshooting Cheat Sheet: Stain and Topcoat Compatibility

Last week we covered Step 1 (surface preparation) of my troubleshooting “cheat sheet” to help you quickly identify and avoid most finishing problems. (Thank you to Vern W., Lawrence M., Joe K., Michael A., and Bill K. for your blog comments and kind words.) Today, we’ll move on to Step 2: Stain and Topcoat Compatibility.

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My Wood Finishing Troubleshooting Cheat Sheet: Surface Prep

A couple weeks ago, I shared tips on adjusting for seasonal weather changes to ensure your finishes come out the way you want. (A big thanks to Brian M., Mike L., Larry M., Chris D., Bob M., Jeff S., and Paul K., who shared their comments and kind words!) Of course, there are plenty other

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