Hand Applied Finishes

Jeff Jewitt

Reviewed by:

Charles L. Driggs

This is one of three books I have used as a group of finishing references, with the others by Flexner and Dresdner noted elsewhere. This one is specifically targeted at hand-applied finishes, which tend to be more suitable to a small-scale Galootish workshop. Jewitt covers the importance of surface preparation and technique in particular, which I have found helpful. What Jewitt does not provide is an extensive chronological history of Galootish finishes, which I have recently found to be very well covered by Allen (as noted elsewhere). This book has been particularly helpful in its discussion of surface prep, shellac usage and refinishing techniques, but is a little sketchy in some aspects of finishes that other authors cover better. Jewitt is a professional refinisher. His experience shows and is used to illustrate his points. His website is also a good source of information, and finishing supplies, and I've found him willing to provide responses to specific questions by phone or email. See also the review of his newer book -- Great Wood Finishes.