Replies

1. 
   MikeHennessy | Dec 18, 2008 07:22pm | #1

   "So my main question is next time how to i get the nice satin Finnish i was going for?"

   You can take pretty much any relatively smooth finish, whether it is flat, satin, eggshell or whatever, and polish it to a gloss finish. Sounds like that's what you did. If you want to de-gloss it, try some pumice or rottenstone on a damp cloth.

   Mike Hennessy
   Pittsburgh, PA

1. 
   wiskytango | Dec 18, 2008 07:33pm | #3

   So basically just mess up my nice glossy finish:) Thats what I figured, after you have dulled it do you just leave it as is? I guess if I then used a furniture polish to sort of seal it ( i am pretty sure i don't need to worry about this but i have some weird issues that make me think i need to seal it somehow). I know not to "dull" it so much that i go through the finish so this shouldnt be an issue.

1. 
   MikeHennessy | Dec 18, 2008 07:38pm | #4

   Well, I usually use Butcher's wax as a final step. I like the luster and the feel it provides. I avoid furniture polish 'cause I've never found any that wasn't actually bad for the furniture.

   Mike HennessyPittsburgh, PA

1. 
   wiskytango | Dec 18, 2008 08:39pm | #5

   Butcher wax, That would work. It would give me the sense of finishing that i need, not necessarily that the wood needs.
   I have issues.

1. 
   MikeHennessy | Dec 18, 2008 08:42pm | #6

   As someone over in Breaktime quips:

   "I have CDO -- That's like OCD, but the letters are in the proper order." ;-)

   Mike HennessyPittsburgh, PA

2. 
   MikeHennessy | Dec 18, 2008 09:32pm | #8

   Also good to know:

   I usually finish with several coats of gloss, then only use the satin on the last coat or two. Keeps the finish from getting murky as it gets thicker -- makes for better "depth".

   You may be able to simply apply another coat of satin, depending on what was in your furniture "polish".

   Mike HennessyPittsburgh, PA

3. 
   SteveSchoene | Dec 18, 2008 10:52pm | #9

   Wax is about 95% just for appearance--it's principal function is to make things shiny, but that's not what you wanted.  The varnish seals--it is all the seal that is needed. 

   When you rub with pumice and/or steel wool, or rubbing compound you leave the surface just rough enough to get a less glossy finish.  Rottenstone, which was mentioned in one post, will take the finish to quite glossy, as would polishing compound.  Sometimes wax is used as a lubricant with steel wool rubbing, but that's to moderate the scratchiness of the steel wool.  Anyway, you would remove that wax with naphtha since if you used real steel wool it would just be trapping steel shreds.   

4. 
   PCM | Dec 20, 2008 12:59am | #10

   I agree with Mikehennessey and Steve Schoene-get the wax off with naptha and apply a final coat of semi-gloss or satin over your gloss. I would try to apply an equal amount of gloss as you put on your piece to scraps to see if you want semi-gloss or satin. 

   I hope this makes sense.

   Pete

2. 
   BG | Dec 18, 2008 07:22pm | #2

   wiskytango,
   Skip the wax?

   With all the protection it's really not necessary. I just work the grit from 1000 down to get the dullness I want.

3. 
   Julmer | Dec 18, 2008 09:05pm | #7

   As stated in earlier reply, even a satin finish can be polished to a "shine".

   But I have experienced gloss/clarity issues with "satin" finishes that I later traced back to not properly mixing up the finish before applying. I learned the "flateners"  that are added to gloss finishes (to make them semi-gloss or satin finishes) can settle out. Making the top of a can of finish "gloss" and the bottom "satin".  Gave me "two-toned" finish as I applied to a table top.

4. 
   RalphBarker | Dec 20, 2008 01:33am | #11

   As mentioned, the semi-gloss/satin part of the finish is provided by the "rocks" they put in the bottom of the can. Unless the "rocks" are mixed into suspension, you get a glossy finish.

   Personally, I prefer a final rub with Rottenstone and oil over pumice. Pumice seems too coarse to me. Using water with the Rottenstone gives a slightly different effect.