In a kinder world, we would always be able to apply wood finishes to horizontal surfaces at bench height. But in real life we invariably find ourselves reaching over our heads with a brushful of stain or oil. So you know as well as I the misery of cold, sticky fluid dribbling down over your wrist. Next time try this trick.
Get a rubber glove, of the type sold for washing dishes, for your painting hand. Turn up a 2-in. to 3-in. cuff on the glove, and stuff it with toilet paper — you want a puffy doughnut of tissue filling the cuff and circling your wrist. The tissue holds the cuff out to catch the dribbles and absorbs the fluid so it won’t leak out when you lower your arm.
Finally, wrap the end of the brush handle with tissue and secure it with a rubber band. You are now ready to apply the finish. When the tissue rings become saturated, squeeze them out over the finish container to put the liquid back where it can be used again.
—Jerry Azevedo, Friday Harbor, WA
Edited by Charles Miller
From Fine Homebuilding #41
