"Hi there, this is my first time feeding back, but it is pretty hard to find time to email when you have ten dvd's to watch.  Anyway, my name is ZH, and I just finished up the final installment of Finishing A-Z (although I will be replaying many parts).  I wanted to send in some feedback finally, but I wanted to wait until I had something to talk about.  I am very impressed with the tremendous amount of information in the series. 

Just to get a bit of background on me, I have been doing some woodworking for a year or so now, so I know absolutely nothing.  I have read a bunch, and I try to stay up on pod-casts and articles and such, but I have much to learn.... and mostly I have tons of practice in front of me.  I will attest to what "they" say about newbies, in that we are almost afraid of finishing.  For me, it is tough enough to get the project completed without too many problems.  Then you have the daunting task of the finishing process. 

I have been trying to get some practice here and there whenever I can finishing things.  It is still a bit of a challenge with the many different products, techniques, etc.  I have read both of the finishing bibles (Flexner and Jewett), but they leave a bit to the imagination with the vast amount of info on so many subjects.  But, after watching your series, many things that I had read and not fully understood (or maybe I got it at the time, but haven't used it since, and forgot) have become much clearer.  Plus, it is hard to pick products, especially when you don't have too many sources in the area, or have to do it online.  I am glad that you addressed big box products, or junk as I usually call it now.  I have had many problems with them, and I will be utilizing some better product in the future.  One of the problems with using good products, is knowing what a good product is, which you have helped tremendously with. Bare minimum, I have a much better understanding of how to identify what the difference is. 

So, I guess that the point of this is that I have really gotten a lot out of the videos.  I am definitely more confident about finishing than I used to be.  One of the greatest lessons I got from your videos is that you have options out there throughout the finishing process to change things up a bit. Understanding my options better, and also seeing many techniques in action made me realize one important thing:  you don't have to pick the perfect color or finish the first time.  There are so many stages to refine your finish, that the worrying stage prior to finishing has faded from me.  I think that many people feel that you have one shot to get it done, and if you screw up then the world will end.  Not so! 

I also wanted to thank you for one tip in particular. I have been working on a picture frame for a friend during the time that I have been watching the videos, and I just couldn't get the right ebonized effect that I was looking for.  Go figure, I had been brewing steel wool and vinegar for a week, mixing tints and such, with poor results.  Lo and behold, I came to that section of the series, went out and bought some ink, and go figure!  It worked absolutely perfect!!!

Another thing that was absolutely priceless is all of the information on spraying.  I knew absolutely nothing about it prior to this series, and I have to say that I have a really good understanding of it now compared to what I knew.  Unfortunately, I just don't have the kind of facilities using my garage for workspace to get into it right now.  In the future, I plan to build myself a dedicated workshop and I will be adding a dedicated finishing room at that time.  I think think that adding spraying capabilities will open many doors to my work, but it really looks like it can be fun too.  I know that there will be lots of frustrating moments, but just like everything else I have found with woodworking... it will be worth it. 

So, again, thank you for the outstanding production. After 10 hours of Charles on the TV, my impression is that you are a really fun guy who takes pride in what you do.  I think it would be a blast to hang out with you!  Thank you for helping me to become much better at the finishing process, and I also have to say that the podcasts are outstanding too.  You have a wealth of knowledge, and the best part about woodworking that I have found so far is the willingness of those who have experience to help us newbies out.  It makes for a lot less mistakes, as well as a ton of new ideas that we probably would never have thought of.  In the end, we all grow, which is a great thing."  Sincerely, ZH