Replies

1. 
   Paul_Snyder | Nov 20, 2002 07:02am | #1

   Tony - use cotton rags and mineral spirits OR naptha to remove the wax. Then sand the old finish lightly with 320 grit paper to "etch" the surface. Remove the dust and use varnish over the existing finish. Varnish is a lot more durable than the Watco and shouldn't have any adhesion problems. If you want to use poly varnish, apply a coat of dewaxed shellac before the poly.

   Homesteadfinishing.com has a nice selection of varnishes as does http://www.woodfinishingsupplies.com

   Paul

   F'burg, VA

1. 
   Gretchentoo | Nov 20, 2002 04:42pm | #2

   I think you could apply the poly over the dewaxed/clean surface without shellac step. Watco is a thinned varnish, undoubtedly poly.

1. 
   Paul_Snyder | Nov 21, 2002 01:00am | #3

   I don't think I would. The oil/vanish mix is pretty flexible and the poly less so. Poly doesn't adhere well to just about anything - with the exception of bare wood. I'd use de-waxed shellac to be safe - it's quick and easy.

   For a definitive answer, you could do a test sample of the finish without the barrier coat of de-waxed shellac and then do an adhesion test once the poly has cured. Cut a crosshatch pattern in the sample using a razor knife with 3/8" parallel lines, then firmly press/burnish some packing tape onto the pattern and lift the tape. If the poly doesn't lift, you have good adhesion.

   Paul

   F'burg, VA

1. 
   Tony4211 | Nov 21, 2002 01:11am | #4

   Paul

   Thanks for the reply. I will make up a test sample to see how well the varnish adheres.

   Tony

   Edited 11/20/2002 5:13:00 PM ET by TONY4211

1. 
   Paul_Snyder | Nov 21, 2002 03:55am | #5

   Tony - Glad to help out. I re-read the "cross hatch" and hope you understood what I meant, not what I wrote. Use a razor knife to cut some "tic tac toe" boxes in the finish - that's what I meant by cross hatch.

   If you do the test, re-post with the findings if you don't mind - I'd be interested in how it turns out.Paul

   F'burg, VA

2. 
   Telemike | Nov 21, 2002 09:10am | #6

   My regular finish is one coat of watco (clear) under a bazillion coats of minwax wipe on satin poly - how many coats depends on the type of service for the piece.  And I sand between coats!!   I use the watco to amber and develop the color of walnut and other local woods (central CA) before putting on the almost water clear poly.  However, if I want a very light color, I just use the poly.

   
   

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   Edited 11/21/2002 1:14:19 AM ET by TELEMIKE