Replies

1. 
   roc | Dec 07, 2009 08:32am | #1

   That is a great looking table ! Thanks for posting the pic. It did me good to see it !

   Did you hit the surface with some paste wax and 0000 after the finish had dried/hardened ?

   If not I would start there.

   I am no finishing expert so take the others advice over mine but if that doesn't make it perfect maybe coat a scrap of the exact same batch of wood exactly as you have the table, let it dry/hardened and experiment with three zero, coarser, steel wool and paste wax.

   Often that is how the cool guys and gals get the semi gloss. Most start with gloss by the way and then adjust the gloss with the steel wool and wax.

   roc

   Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe. Abraham Lincoln ( 54° shaves )

   
   

   ---

   Edited 12/7/2009 12:42 am by roc

2. 
   Gretchen | Dec 07, 2009 01:35pm | #2

   Beautiful piece. Unless this was a brand new can of Formby's, I would get another one and be absolutely compulsive about stirring it--maybe even shaking it and letting it settle out the air bubbles.  And apply another coat or two. Even with your 8, the "sanding" each time has removed a good bit of finish. On a table top, more wouldn't hurt.

   And even if you used a new can originally there is a remote possibility it was mislabelled as satin.

   Wax will only make it shinier when properly buffed. I would not wax anyway--once you do you have to maintain it, and there is really no need for it.

   Gretchen
3. 
   HowardAcheson | Dec 07, 2009 06:29pm | #3

   As has already been said, the most likely issue is that the flattening agents have not be fully incorporated into the varnish. The rule of thumb I use is 100 strokes in one direction then 100 strokes in the other keeping your stirrer in contact with the bottom of the can. In the case of Formby's varnish, you must thoroughly shake the can for an extended time particularly if it has sat on a shelf for a while. Because the Formby's varnish is thinned, the flatteners will rapidly fall out of suspension. Periodically re-stir during application.

   Second, steel wool between coats will tend to increase the gloss of the product. Better to use 320 or 400 grit sandpaper.

   The saving grace is that the final coat determines the final gloss. Stir or agitate the varnish properly and apply your final coat. You should end up the the gloss you want.

   Howie.........
4. 
   autodave | Dec 08, 2009 04:48am | #4

   Thanks for all of your responses,I'll try another coat and see how it goes