Replies

1. 
   wedgehead | Dec 29, 2001 05:29pm | #1

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   The only water based finish I've tried is flecto, and any of my purdy brushes for water based paints have worked better than foam brushes. I hate those damn things. The thing I was taught with water base, is to do two coats, then sand with 320 or 400. The water will raise so many wood fibers it's hard to not get bubbles when you drag your brush. Continue adding coats as needed, using scotchbrite in between coats. By the fourth coat it goes on nice and smooth.

   Just my $.02

1. 
   Roger_Martini | Dec 31, 2001 05:21pm | #2

   *Thanks, wedge. I think you are on to something when you say that the raised fibres are part of the problem. I have been sanding after the third coat, but I think the second is where I should be starting. I tried out my Purdy brush as well, and it worked much better than foam.One thing that I tried that worked surprisingly well was a trimming pad--the kind where it is a foam pad with fine white hairs on the surface. Left almost no bubbles at all. The drawback is that you can't dip it in a small can and it wastes a lot of varnish in the body of the pad. Between this thing and the Purdy, I think I'm in good shape.cheers,Roger

1. 
   Jack_Woody | Jan 02, 2002 01:52am | #3

   *Foam brushes are no good! I think the only reason there still around is because Norm uses them. Never did cotton to "disposable" stuff anyway. (I even recycle used paint thinner) used to clean my Purdy brushes. I've had luck with using very slow strokes with none if little overlapping of strokes. Approaching the work with a high angle of attack on the final stroke usually eliminates bubbles as well. Of course, this depends on size of surface, and the relative humidity and ambient temperature. FWIWJack.