wrote

I have never, ever, understood why someone will make a project that
invests many hours of their lives using skills that have taken years
to develop, build it from expensive woods and hardware using tools
that cost thousands of dollars only to all but ignore the finishing
aspect.

I agree completely.

Reminds me of a story....

Many years ago, I made custom waterbeds. Some were simple, but many were
large, elaborate affairs. The cost varied not only with the wood and
design, but the finish as well,

I got an order for four pyramid waterbeds from four different clients. Each
was different in terms of pedestals, "extras" and finish. One guy wanted an
elaborate bed but balked at paying big bucks for a fancy finish. And this
was a finish he insisted on having too. I tried to discourage him, but he
was adamant about this. He insisted on applying the finish himself.

So I made the bed. He was happy with it. I bought him his finish from a
store that specialized in marine finishes. It is what he wanted. I had only
used this finish a couple times before. It was an incredible amount of work
that took over two weeks to apply and cure. I gave him complete
instructions and told him he could call me with any questions.

I went by to see him a couple months later. The bed was up. It had the most
horrid finish I had ever seen applied to wood in my life. Dried vomit would
have looked better. I was shocked. He said that he should have paid me to
apply the finish. I don't know how anybody could have done such a horrid
job. But he found a way. He wanted to save some money.

That experience helped me to swear off on elaborate finishing schemes.
Simple is best. And it takes time to develop a "touch". Not everything in
life can acheive instant gratification. I have made mistakes in my life.
But this episode is the epitome of bad finishes. It also made me swear off
on impossible clients. I would never agree to such an arrangement ever
again.

Older and wiser...