Customer Reviews

Tauntons Comp Illus GT Finishi

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

At over 300 pages of superbly illustrated information, this book is the new bible on wood finishing. The words "Complete" and "Illustrated" in the title tell it all.

Just about everything you need to know about finishing from basics to advanced is covered. Every topic is illustrated with full-color photos and line drawings when needed.

Plenty of hints, off-page references and guidance.

Topics are covered in anywhere from a half-page with three photos to whole chapters. Jeff and his wife, Susan, the photographer, have gone out of their way to show every process and product talked about. Every chapter is organized the same way, which may be the way of Taunton's new, "Complete Illustrated Guide to..."

If you are only going to buy one book on finishing, or if you have a whole shelf full, you need to buy and read this book.

Great job, Jeff and Susan!

Now that I have a bit more time, I thought the table of contents would be interesting and tell more about the wealth of information in this book:
1) The finishing environment
2) Tools for surface preparation
3) Finishing Tools
4) Preparing Flat Surfaces
5) Preparation of Curved and Complex Surfaces
6) Fixing defects
7) Stain Basics and Application
8) Glazes, Padding Stains and Toners
9) Natural Dyes, Chemical Stains and Bleaches
10) Controlling Color
11) Filling Pores
12) Sealers
13) Choosing a Finish
14) Reactive finishes (including new conversion finishes)
15) Evaporative finishes

16) Water-Based Finishes
17) Rubbing out Finishes

As the previous review says, this is a good book, well put together, easy to follow. However, I also bought Bob Flexner's book and I preferred that one. Flexner's book covers the theory of finishes better. Don't be put off by the thought of chemistry theory, it is written in a way that is useable, easily readable. So, although I liked Mr. Jewitt's book, if you can only buy one, I recommend Flexner's.

Understanding Wood Finishing: 2nd Edition How to Select and Apply the Right Finish