Weekend Refinisher

This book was written years ago and the author is now an "advisor" to Min Wax. We could only wish Mr. Johnson would have offered at least one update to make his fine book a little more current to include products on the market now that didn't exist 20-years ago. With that said the reader/user of this classic book on refinishing won't be disappointed if they are willing to read, study and use the book as a reference to what they are attempting to accomplish. I refinish old trunks and doing is learning; its practice makes perfect. Many times I wonder if there is a solution to a problem that is new to my experience. Bruce Johnson's book and his expertise offer that in a quick, handy and fairly concise manner. If you're a weekend refinisher or professional you can always learn new things if your honest with yourself. The Weekend Refinisher was written many years ago but the knowledge set forth is current enough to ensure your finishing projects go well and remain fun. As a professional, I highly recommend this book. Indeed!

If you have only one piece of furniture you want to work on, you will still find this book invaluable. Everything you need to know about how to repair, when to restore, when to refinish and how to approach it, which tools to use, the dizzying array of products available, and what NOT to do- it's all their and with just a touch of humor to keep the author human.I have read and reread mine!

There is just to much information in this book to cover in one review. Chapter highlights include learning from the author's mistakes. What supplies you'll need to accomplish that particular task. Explanation of various stains, finishes, repairing techniques for comtemporary and antique furniture. I read about it on an internet message board and I couldn't have repaired and refinished my forty year old danish modern bauhaus dining table and chairs without it. I even went to a woodworking store and bought a combination tung oil/varnish finish that I just wiped on! No brushes; no spray!!! I saved $1000 by doing it myself!!! It looks so professional!!!!

I finally found a source with all the "secrets" to refinishing and restoring for the occasional woodworker. An easy and lighthearted read. A well organized reference. It will be the only refinishing book I will ever need.

I bought a chest of drawers in a consignment shop that was dirty, scratched and had old stickers slapped on the drawers. What drew me to it, however, was a carving on the top drawer of a lighthouse on the New England coast. I could refinish that, I thought, and I bought the chest. Once home with my treasure, I despaired. Did I need to rent a sander to get all the gunk off? How would I preserve the carving?Bruce Johnson's book got me through it all. This book is very well-written explaining what techniques to use and all the materials you need to buy to do a good job refinishing furniture. The book takes you through making small repairs, removing old finish, staining, putting a protective coat on, and preserving the finish. Johnson has a helpful, humorous tone throughout telling about refinishing errors he made and how readers can avoid them.The most invaluable part of the book is that each chapter ends with a list of the materials you need to perform each step of the refinishing process. I took the book with me to my local Home Depot when shopping; I kept the book in a plastic bag nearby me when I was working on the chest for "what-do-I-do-now?" guidance. Thanks to Johnson, I found I could remove bad waterstains from the top of the chest with simple household bleach.I finished my chest of drawers in 3 weekends and it looks so good my husband is promising to fold his underwear so it won't stick out of the drawers anymore!