• Applying a good surface finish to a wood project requires several tools.wood image by Marvin Gerste from Fotolia.com
  
  No matter how complex or complicated a wood-building project might be, the surface finish is the most visible. While some observers of a chair or table may notice elements of its construction, the surface of the wood is given the priority when it comes to a final judgment of the quality of a project. Ensuring a high-quality, showcase finish to a wood project requires skills, patience and several tools.
  
  

Putty Knife

• Before final touches can be made to a wood surface for finishing, any inherent flaws in the surface must first be fixed. Do this by applying wood filler with a putty knife. Check for gouges, holes or small dips in the wood. Dab wood filler into the opening, and scrape off any excess with a putty knife. Make sure the putty knife does not scrape or gouge the wood in the process. Also, use wood filler that can be stained to ensure an accurate match to the wood.
  
  

Palm Sander

• The first and most important quality of any surface finish is smoothness. The smoother the finish, the larger the perception of quality and skilled craftsmanship. While most wood used for furniture building has a relatively fine finish, even the highest-quality wood must be sanded to ensure a well-crafted completed project. A palm sander can be fitted with any grade of sandpaper, starting with rough, and gradually, through several applications, to fine sandpaper. A palm sanders allows the user to smooth out a large surface area in relatively short time.
  
  

Varnish Brush

• The final step in creating a fine surface finish is to apply stain and varnish. Use a stain to create the color of wood you want for your finished project. Keep in mind that light stain shows the most surface flaws, while a darker stain hides most imperfections. Once the stain is applied, let it dry for at least 24 hours. Apply a varnish to lock in the stain and protect the wood. The proper brush for stain and varnish is different from that used in latex paint applications. Check the label of the brush to be sure.