Bob Flexner is the magazine’s go-to person for information when the topic is over. He is our foremost expert on everything from using Xylene to thin and solvent to alkyd-based varnish. We might be biased because he writes our Flexner on Finishing columns found in nearly every issue for the past decade, but the fact that Bob writes for many other publications reaffirms our belief.
Bob also teaches classes throughout the country. A few weeks back he was at the Marc Adams School of Woodworking to teach a two-day seminar on finishing. Then, while so close to Cincinnati, Bob accepted an invitation to present a similar class to the Cincinnati Woodworking Club and that seminar was hosted at the office and shop. I was able to attend the Sunday session, but I realized that Saturdays were missing.
I think I would have seen the same expression if I had been there both days. Due to his vast knowledge on finishing and his willingness to pass information on to others, he shares so much in his seminars that theres a lot of stuff to digest.
These include how to clean your brush properly. Simple right? I thought I knew what to do, too. Bob quickly showed me the truth. He had a few brushes that he passed around that, after many cleanings, were as soft and usable as they were when purchased quite a few years back. Bob says the secret to a clean brush is to use soap and water to wash it. Thats the final step no matter what finish was applied with your brush. I have to admit, Ive never washed my brush with soap and water. And, I cannot tell you the times Ive returned to a brush weeks later and had to bend and twist the bristles to be able to use the brush a second time.
Shellac was another interesting fact I learned about brush cleaning. As you may know, Im a fan of shellac. I like the quick drying time of shellac as well as the replication of what I consider a period-type finish. While I spray most of the finishes I use, I occasionally dip my bristles in shellac. Cleaning the shellac off my brush was as simple as dipping the bristles in alcohol and dredging it through several cups until the shellac was gone. If you think about that process, I was (as Bob pointed out) simply thinning the shellac with each rinsing, hopefully reaching a point when the shellac was gone. I would not know if the bristles needed to be twisted or not until the brush dried.
Bob’s solution? Use a lint-free cloth to clean the shellac brush.
These were just a few of many tips that were learned during the seminar. Bob spent some time explaining French polish. I recorded the majority of Bob’s presentation on French polish. I plan to add it to our video pages within the next few weeks. If you have any interest in French polish, dont miss it.
And if you have an opportunity to catch one of Bobs seminars, I highly suggest you do so. Be prepared to absorb a lot of information. Take great notes and keep your eyes open for new insights. I sure did.
And if you cannot locate his seminar somewhere close to you, his book, Understanding Wood Finishing (Peachtree Woodworking) covers many of the topics and is invaluable as you begin finishing pieces with something more than wipe-on oil.
Got any tips to share or questions about finishing, post you comments or concerns and well see if others can benefit from your shared knowledge or help get you answers. Bob’s book is a great resource. I bet Bob has it covered.
p.s. Our sites also offer many Bobs articles for free at the Finishing Page.
Product Recommendations
Here are some supplies and tools we find essential in our everyday work around the shop. Although we may be compensated for sales made through our links, these products have been carefully chosen for their utility and quality.
