My Finishing Process for Woodworking- Ask Matt #12

[@egbluesuede1220]

Just about to apply Arm-R-Seal to a table and this was a really good explanation. Good tips and helps me understand the "why" not just the "how".

[@mikethelma]

Very professionally done. No dumb music or stupid clowning around. Just the facts and a clear explanation. Well done.

[@timziolkowski1950]

First video I found that described the last step of waiting a couple weeks then using 1000 grit. THANKS!!

[@Dane-mz6bv]

thank you Matt. This video is STILL helping folks in 2022 just in case you're wondering

[@mcremona]

🙌🙌🙌

[@mrspaulsen1717]

And 2024

[@738polarbear]

My favourite cabinetmaker. Humble but a great artist.Nothing but nothing compares to wood . Look at that grain.

[@mcremona]

Thank you!

[@JeffreyGenda]

I've watched this video about once a year for the last five years to remind me of the process. Your attention to detail and helpful descriptions are greatly appreciated!! Do you thin the arm-r-seal with mineral spirits at all? As an aside, your next video should be a "my finishing process for a good facial shave with 120 grit"!

[@CutterCo]

Wetting the surface with mineral spirits before finishing to spot the defects is absolutely the best advice I've heard in a long time! Thank you!

[@diogofarias1822]

mmikkone you can mix both oil and mineral spirits before finishing it for real.

[@CutterCo]

I usually stain my wood before varnishing (with homemade oil stain) so the oil would interfere with that. But of course if I wouldn't stain then I could sand it with oil.

[@wadepatton2433]

alcohol will work as well.

[@diggler306]

Watching this video again 4 1/2 years later, and I just picked up that applying the last coat super thin allows it to harden faster so particles have less time to land and stick in the finish. Thanks!

[@abyshepherd6944]

Incredibly informative and humorous! 😂 I had to rewind several times to check on the beard shave! I’m just starting out in wood working and I love that this video showed in (semi) real time the process that you go through. Thank you!

[@rogerdudra178]

The clocks many use to order their day are unlike the clocks we use to make furniture correctly. I have found finishing a project in a shop with no LPHV equipment an assembly at a time to get a good finish on the whole in the end. All the corners come out clean for me.

[@shroboy07]

I missed the instructions about shaving in between coats i believe.

[@mcremona]

Jared S I can't give away all my secrets

[@Benelli037]

👏😉😉 I didn't notice

[@BrianSantero]

And let it be known: Thou shalt take from the beard and give to the board.

[@kraven4444]

+Jared S I saw that after the first coat, then after the second i'm like wtf he did it again..and again.

[@kenhayward9844]

s..i

[@briarfox637]

I just built some cabinets from maple for my wifes laundry room and used the Arm R Seal. Love this stuff.

[@vanhetgoor]

It must be very satisfying to work with pieces of such beautiful wood.

[@Davesdiy]

I was impressed when Jay Bates swapped hats at the cuts, way to commit with the beard. That is one pretty piece of wood and thanks for the finishing tips.

[@mcremona]

Dave's DIY The hat swap might have been more subtle though. :) Thanks!

[@ProspectorBill]

Thanks Matt. The heirloom pieces I make take as much time for the finishing as building the projects. When I can wipe on enough thing layers, even red oak feels like glass. Love the point about it being tactile.

[@mcremona]

ProspectorBill Thank you! The people who see your completed work are going to touch it too.

[@scotthaun8582]

always a good refresher to watch this video again

[@nathanroper5988]

This has always been a very poor part of my projects so thank you so much for explaining this in such a great way.

[@matt7008]

Such an awesome video! Thanks for including all the little tips, you wouldn’t pick those up except from doing it, or hearing you say it

[@keeganmyers]

After watching this video I purchased a quart of Arm-R-Seal and was pleasantly surprised with the results! My project's finish has turned out smooth as glass and was quite easy to install. Thanks for the tips and information!

[@mcremona]

awesome!

[@RecklessTheory]

this stuff is absolutely amazing! I have used quite a few different types of poly from water based to spar urethane of a several different brands but nothing comes close to being as easy to apply with wayyy better results than anything I have ever used. It really can't get any more fool proof than Arm-r-seal. No tacky drips or stroke marks as it self levels, most of the sanding areas that didn't absorb as well disappear with extra coats. First time I used this product too because of this video, Although I have used other general finish products this one is the most impressive I have tried probably because it's a wipe on oil based product with more clarity and durability than most brands.

[@dwightl5863]

Guessing be an oil based product the smell when applying is pretty strong. Finishing a tabletop but in a close in basement.

[@RecklessTheory]

@@dwightl5863 it wasn't bad and the room I did it in had two windows and and walk out door with another door blocking it from the rest of the house so it could be vented almost like it was a garage.

[@L3EntertainmentProd]

Thank you so much for making this video. Usually the finishing process is kind of skipped on videos without much detail and you made a lot of sense with this one. Beautiful work!

[@mcremona]

Mike Brust Thank you Mike! I'm glad it was helpful :)

[@gregteagle8002]

Great look on door. Door finish and face finish sure made a difference in 24 hrs. Its great to watch how detailed you are on your work. Thanks for the information.

[@mcremona]

Greg Teagle Thank you Greg!!

[@shrimuyopa8117]

That is a lot of work for one piece of wood. My hat is off to you sir.

[@briarfox637]

I had never used arm r seal before I saw your video on it. I love the work you produce and its always professionally done so I decided to give it a go. Great finishing product. Very easy to apply and give a beautiful semi-gloss sheen that I usually knock down just a tad with a paste wax afterwards.

[@ironeagletrike]

Hey Matt, I know this is an older video but it really helped me with finishing my old Kitchen Butcher Block table that was in rough shape and now looks new. Love your videos, thanks! Also got a kick out of the shaves between coats!

[@mcremona]

Awesome to hear! Thanks!

[@pagnicinematography]

This is rapidly becoming my favorite Wood Working channel.

[@mcremona]

Ross Pagni Thank you Ross!

[@kbwoodworker6217]

Great video! Arm-r-seal is my go-to finish for most projects. I appreciated your discussion of the finishing cloth and showing how to use it. I just folded it any old way, but your discussion of why you do it makes sense. Also, how light the last coat should be and wait a couple of weeks before the final sanding with 1000 grit. I've gotten decent results, but why not try for perfection. I normally use a clean Norton Microfiber cloth after sanding between coats, but I'm going to try the mineral spirits next time. I also use a 1lb cut dewaxed shellac for a wash coat for woods that tend to blotch like cherry, but you seem to start with the arm-r-seal and your results were great. I may experiment, though the shellac wash coat isn't much trouble.

[@kbwoodworker6217]

Just to add, Norton makes one specifically for woodworking, I wouldn't use a regular microfiber cloth. They are good for wiping between the grits when sanding, too. Instead of tack cloth which can be a problem.

[@Lisaj4431]

I just used this product yesterday and I love it, made the cherry really pop

[@kerryschoolfield1537]

Very helpful. I wAtched your other video about water based and decided to go with the arm r seal instead. I really like applying the finish technique using a rag vs foam brush. Looks great too.

[@bethmallon9417]

This was perfect for a novice, I think I'm ready to begin my work. Thank you.

[@moyperezwoodshop1722]

Very cool matt. Thanks for posting. I used Arm r seal for the first time a couple of weeks ago.( BEFORE WATCHING THIS VIDEO) . I used curly cherry for a clock. I really liked how it brought out the grain. I wish I would of watched your video first though. I sanded to 320 and I think I sealed the grain a bit. i compared it to spray lacquer on my build video. It was a huge difference. Now I know for next time.. thanks again.

[@mcremona]

Moy perez woodshop Thank you Moy! Yes, sanding that high will seal the grain and cause it to absorb less finish. Sometimes that's desirable.

[@ZacHiggins]

Love the beard shaving in stages!! Wow, those panels are amazing. Beautiful finish, and excellent technique. It's the little things that really make the finish perfect! Nice work Matt!

[@mcremona]

Zac Higgins Thanks Zac! It was a lot of fun! Yes, the little things go a long way.

[@SpencleyDesignCo]

SUBSCRIBED! The level of detail you go in the video is amazing! WELL DONE!

[@mcremona]

Thanks!

[@MidnightAT]

Good stuff. Applied Arm-R-Seal today for the first time. This was very helpful, thanks.

[@reforzar]

Ask Matt or The Case of the Disappearing Facial Hair. Looked a bit like Serj Tankian at a few points.

[@mcremona]

hahaha! yes!

[@rmyukon]

+Brian Prusa I think he looks like the comedian, Dimitri Martin

[@samueladams7064]

Brian Prusa yes! I have been wondering why he looked so familiar to me.

[@danmottesheard5294]

thanks for the video on finishing. I'm fixing to finish my sister's oak indoor bench and have decided on arm r seal after yours and others videos

[@mcremona]

thanks Dan!

[@MRrwmac]

The transformation of bare wood to an exquisite finish was extraordinary. Ex specially liked the transformation of furry burry to clean shaven host!

[@mcremona]

MRrwmac Thanks Mac! A little bit of a bonus ;)

[@jacklilley7395]

Matt I just tried this finish on a cherry dresser and I am very happy with the way it turned out and how easy it is to apply. The finish made the grain and color really stand out. Thanks for the tips!

[@mcremona]

Jack Lilley Awesome! Glad it worked so well for you!

[@JiggyNS]

Lol, had to roll it back and see if you had more hair at the beginning of video! Thought I was losing it for a moment. Also, that wood is being beautiful!

[@dukkitdalaw]

So glad I came across this vid. You just got yourself a new subscriber and now I shall go binge watch more of these.

[@mcremona]

+Alex G awesome! Thanks!

[@jng3379]

A few days ago I mad a comment on your video and again you did a great job. I had mentioned that I was working on 8 chairs and a table. Maybe you can put some light on what went wrong. After sanding completely down to bare wood I applied three coats of GF black gel stain. I then put three coats of Arm-R-Seal, the first two looked good. The third coat came out like you would have spilled milk and didn't get it all up and left streaks. I sanded in lightly and applied another coat of finish the same results. I then got a little more aggressive and took it down some more. I couldn't do much for a couple of day because of rain and humidity. It was a perfect day today 78% and 36% humidity. So applied another coat of finish making sure I stirred it well to be on the safe side. Results where the same. At this point I believe I am going to sand it down to bare wood starting with 80 grit and end with 150. I can't understand what cause the streaks. Do you or anyone have any idea what could have cause this problem. Thanking you in advance, Jim

[@TexasKid747]

Wow. I tried the Arm R Seal and had horrible results. You have shown me that it was me and not the product. Gotta try it again. Thank you Matt. Cheers from Texas.

[@TheSullyman4]

i have used GF for several years, but never applied it your way. I always went with the grain and lighter coats. Results have been OK. Now will try your method on my second and third coat and fourth....and see what the results are. good video production and sound.

[@mmgross144]

I have used and loved Arm-R-Seal for years and love it! Great work!

[@mikesmicroshop4385]

LOL Love the facial hair changes between the coats of finish, had me laughing My A** off! :)

[@stevejensen3471]

Great vid Matt. Arm-R-Seal is my go to finish!

[@johndiaddigo2337]

Great video, and I appreciate your contribution to the wood working community. I also enjoyed your changes of appearance, whether intentional or not.

[@mcremona]

John Diaddigo Thank you John!

[@johnbergeron3486]

I am a Furniture finisher by trade this was a good video I only have two issues did not mention the grit sandpaper to scuff which should be 320 or higher and the next one's not actually an issue but I prefer to use naphtha to wet my wood to see if I missed any hairline scratches for dries much quicker once again good video this man clearly knows what he's talking about

[@jng3379]

Well this was a great video. I am working a dinning room table an 8 chairs. The chairs came out perfect the table is another thing. My sanding on the table top was all wrong and I am paying for it. I only wish I watch your video first. I will be watching for more of your videos. Thanks

[@mr.morgan5643]

Well done Matthew! Very nice work, I really like the way you explained the entire process!! Fair winds! Doug

[@63Ducati1]

Two questions: #1) first coat you dampened the clean rag with a small amount of mineral spirits before starting to apply the first coat. The second coat you did not dampen the rag before applying finish. The third coat was the same as the second without dampening before applying finish. Reason for that? #2) I am making an item with small pieces glued to the finished surface. Have you ever glued anything to the finished surface? Maybe I should glue the pieces on and finish everything at the same time. Sanding between finishes will be more difficult, but at least I know the small parts will stick to the large piece. I very much like your videos. Straight talk without digressions or useless tangents. Good information well presented. I have looked at enough of your videos that were all well done and I'm ready to subscribe.

[@dkbuilds]

Thanks Matt, this video was super useful for me. I'll be buying some Arm-r-Seal ASAP!

[@GeorgeWTush]

Great video, Matt. At each step, it is so very clear and understandable. You helped me a lot. Many thanks!

[@mcremona]

Awesome to hear! Thanks!

[@locohombre79]

Great explanation of your method, Matt. I must say, as a furniture finisher myself, I got a kick out of watching someone else doing all the sanding, lol. All the best, Martin.

[@mcremona]

locohombre79 hahaha! Thanks Martin!

[@KirkWagner147]

Great video matt! I have never put so much time into my finishing. Now I know why your pieces look so much better then mine.

[@mcremona]

Kirk Wagner hahaha! Thanks Kirk!

[@arnaldoscachetti3558]

Great explanation of how to apply a finish… thx

[@keithyoung7]

Really helpful, however, I was waiting for the Mohawk and then the Crome dome. Next time perhaps. Really enjoy your work.

[@JohnSkeel]

All the comments are about your disappearing beard, but the first thing I noticed was the TWW t-shirt! Which I think is cool 'cause that's how I found your channel - as a recommend from Marc's site. Really enjoy your videos, especially the ones concerning logs to lumber which is my next adventure. Got the logs stacking up, just haven't started the cutting yet. Well, one which was an apricot tree - very nice wood color, density, and grain. Keep up the good work.

[@mcremona]

That's awesome! Marc's a great guy! Have fun with the cutting. It's a blast! Thank you!

[@Sundardevsaha-e3k]

Delightful! Thank you kindly for posting this. You helped me become a better woodworker!

[@Finewoodworkingofsc]

Matt, great video and technique. I've used Arm-R-Seal for sometime now with great results. Charles Neil introduced me to this product. Thanks for the video.

[@mcremona]

Fine Woodworking of South Carolina Thank you! Charles is amazing. I've learned a lot from him!

[@hualon]

You ROCK! Thank you for sharing this excellent information.

[@DasAlbatross]

Matt you aaaalmost started the second coat without grinning. I love this video for being helpful and ridiculous. Now to go put some arm r seal on my dog stairs.

[@sea-ferring]

The biker stache looked awesome!

[@mahto54]

Great job! Can't wait to see finished product. BTW it took me 13 minutes to notice you were shaving a little bit between coats!!

[@jamestongas3554]

Great explanation. one of the best I've seen on KZbin!

[@mcremona]

Thanks!

[@jamiedayao5074]

Thanks for the General Finishes Arm-r-Seal tip! I just tried it on a walnut table top and you're totally right - great finish and hard to screw up.

[@mcremona]

Awesome! Yeah it's super hard to mess up :)

[@AdventuresInDIY]

Great information Matt! Thank you. I started using a card scraper more for the initial part of finishing as well. Does a great job for those tricky grain patterns.

[@mcremona]

card scrapers are amazing things. It's crazy how simple they are.

[@callevi1791]

Matt, thx for the vid. After curing and you use 1000 grit to lightly sand, are you finished? No mineral spirits or anything at this stage? Also have you tired to thin this product as you proceed through the coats? I’ve heard it thins well......thanks again for your help.

[@teachinsteps4016]

This was a great video both about wood finish and hair removal. Thanks man.

[@steveabrams9137]

At least someone knows the correct grits on these videos. Done watching these shows very entertaining.

[@davidstender7446]

Hey Matt, the last complete step....sanding with 1000 grit, do you do like a furniture polish or something? clean it with mineral spirits? I feel like something would show after sanding it.... Thanks man your woodworking career/story is impressive. Keep it up!

[@mcremona]

David Stender I just use the sand paper. I'm not trying to sand the finish, it's already very smooth at this point. This final sanding just removed anything that may have gotten into the finish as it was drying, like a little piece of dust.

[@calebatwater9502]

I would LOVE to get a good look at whatever those curvy pieces are in front of you, as well as in their final state! Thank you so much for your generosity in sharing thiese!

[@mcremona]

+Caleb Atwater here you go: kzbin.info/www/bejne/kHnXl2SaiMeheNE thanks!!

[@markgoodchild998]

Great stuff, Matt. Very informative, yet to the point. I am glad to see we share a very similar finishing process. Make's me feel like I heading in the right direction! That facial hair element was also very good. Keep up the good work!

[@mcremona]

Mark Goodchild Thank Mark! Finishing is another area of woodworking where you just need to find what works best for you. So many options out there. Thanks again!

[@jakedog1976]

Great vow Matt . Love the disapearng beard. I have tried lots of different finishes from spray laquers to wiping polys but never a wiping varnish. After seeing the finish you achieved in this process I'm going to order some and give it a try..thanks..

[@mcremona]

Ross Hastings Thanks Ross! I used to do spray lacquer and brush on poly but I settled on this method. Seems to give me the best and most consistent results

[@builttolast7286]

I had been using a foam brush, which I THOUGHT created a consistent, thin layer, but WOW, the t-shirt rag material leaves a MUCH finer film.

[@greglautz8470]

I love the constantly changing facial hair every 2 hours

[@jeffkeisling3558]

Hey Matt - I’m also an arm-r-seal fan. How do you avoid witness marks or streaks given you apply pressure after applying the material. A constant issue for me in coats 4-5. Thanks.

[@davidhenry32]

Excellent video, Matt! Arm-r-Seal is my favorite as well; I'm going to have the very thin coat technique that works so well for you. Thanks!

[@mcremona]

davidhenry32 Thanks David!

[@kvandy1340]

How did I watch this twice and not even notice the disappearing facial hair until I read the comments? Excellent video Matt, I'm finishing an awesome end grain walnut now like you do and its coming out beautiful!

[@poppawoody13]

Grizzly Adams to Brazilian Matt. Deadpan humour and very informative. Great vid, cheers!

[@mcremona]

Thanks!

[@josephkerkau2520]

I like your video, so I subscribed. I will be watching more often. The finish that you are doing, we call, "a piano finish". The last coat is applied with a ball shape pad of cheese cloth. Cut the finishing material with turpentine or mineral spirits! What ever is used for cleanup for that particular finish. When you Build up the finish like you did. I Usually will do (7 or 8Coats)!! Then it's a Buffy style stroke to the finish. Talk to you again later.

[@ecaff9515]

Thank you for sharing. Excellent video and process. I will use your application process.

[@robzilla2165]

Thanks Matt, tons of good information. I've been putting off the final finish of a platform bed I recently finished prepping because I was uncertain of process and application. I have no experience with finishing procedure but I picked up the GF oil & urethane topcoat and am ready to give it a shot! Thanks again bro

[@mcremona]

robzilla2165 Awesome! It's super easy so you should have no issues :)

[@hypnolobster]

I saw this video back when you posted it, but after seeing the Spag's wiping varnish shootout video where he mentioned Arm r seal actually being the cheapest of the bunch, I finally bought some to give it a try. It's totally amazing finish. I like your process a lot after trying it, and I think this will be my go-to now. Also obligatory facial hair comment.

[@mcremona]

hahhaha thanks Kirby!

[@jonopadoa5565]

Haha. Dude I subscribed just for the disappearing facial hair...and of course the great instructional video! Really appreciate the info cos been looking for good finishing videos! Well done.

[@ultimate1933]

A majority of my work is with pallet wood so for sanding I start with a 60 grit. But if the wood is really rough I'll use a 40 grit. Then move up to a 320 grit. Then after the finish I use a 600 grit and it gets it real smooth. My clients are always surprised by how smooth I get the pallet wood lol.

[@PatsScaryGroin]

An old bench top planer is a lot less work on pallet wood.

[@BariumCobaltNitrog3n]

Do you use the ones made of Pine or Oak?

[@woodandmetalandstuffpauldo8561]

Great video Matthew Cremona I like the way they finish got thicker and the beard got thinner :))

[@mcremona]

Hehe :) thanks Paul!

[@woodandmetalandstuffpauldo8561]

Matthew Cremona and that thing with Dema was hilarious.

[@daasch1]

Paul Dove "Get 'em Pancake!!"

[@KSFWG]

Paul Dove A beard-rubbed finish !! I knew !! I knew there was something in the technique he wasn't telling us about !! lol

[@mcremona]

KSFWG Finer than any steel wool

[@KSFWG]

Another great Ask Matt installment. Thanks for the great information and sharing it with us.

[@mcremona]

KSFWG Thank you!!

[@noahknopf8023]

and ts really funny how you keep on half shaving between coats I was cracking up with some of styles

[@rachelsmith3398]

An essential step of the top coating process.

[@jeffkeisling3558]

Matt how do you avoid streaking with armor seal satin? How do you repair any streaks? Thanks!

[@marklutz5441]

I too have the issue with occasional streaking. Is there anything you do special to avoid it that I am not seeing?

[@russwood814]

I've got a fairly large table top, 6' wide. I'm concerned about dry time. Oh, I live in Florida with temps in the 90s. To get arm-r-seal on quickly, I'm thinking of using a foam brush then wipe off w pad. Your thoughts?

[@MattDiresta]

Your attention to detail and meticulous work on each piece you do really makes your pieces stand out and look great. I wish I was there to feeeeel your secretary. Lol.

[@mcremona]

Thank you Matt! Maybe we need touch-o-vision? Lol

[@phillipfailor-rich9470]

Staying up really late finishing!! love it thanks

[@shadaj]

Excellent technique. Thank you.

[@permasealfinishing1273]

amazing piece of wood

[@cdouglas1942]

Tried Arm R Seal based on this video and quick follow up coats...BUT, in my area around Seattle, I had to wait at least a day and longer just on simple cutting boards. Plus finish seemed mostly too shiney, even tho semi gloss. Back to mineral oil.

[@jimaspinii7579]

Thanks! Another GREAT video!!!!

[@kim4win]

I didn't notice the beard changing at all until the mustache phase, haha! Total double take. I enjoyed seeing each step of your finishing process.

[@mcremona]

kim4win :) I was sneaky! Thank you!

[@SeanRubino]

You beat me to it, Matt. I was planning a video where I do the same thing with my beard. Only I was going to go back and forth with it.

[@mcremona]

Sean Rubino You can still do it ;) I got your sticker the other day. Thanks for sending me one!

[@SeanRubino]

Sure thing, Matt.

[@bobbg9041]

5 layers. wow and i thought i was bad. i think you'd have better luck with a finish room and air filter system, by the way looked really nice, the finished projects going to knock it out of the park