Replies

1. 
   jvs | May 31, 2003 03:01am | #1

   Remember, it's a good safety practice, and the use of a proper respirator only cuts the fun a little bit.   :)

   Geez--too bad you are on the wrong coast; I have *lots* of fun stacked up and waiting for willing hands....

   /jvs

1. 
   forestgirl | May 31, 2003 07:12am | #2

   Thanks for the generous thoughts, but I'm sure I'll find enough here to keep entertained.

   Current project is gel stain, doesn't seem to require any breathing protection.  I do always use the respirator with thinners and such, unless it's just a quick, quick touch-up.  And, the weather's been good enough to often work outside, and keep the door open if inside.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

1. 
   jhausch | May 31, 2003 05:12pm | #3

   It takes a while for the madness to set in, but it does eventually come . . ..

   I used to work on private yachts and the first one I ran had about 400 sqft of brightwork scattered about - half rounds, cap rails, doors, handrails, fiddles, etc.  It eventually became a wonderful, zen experience to do the job.

   Every three to four months, it was time to put down two or three more coats of Schooner.  Day one - Tape and Sand then wash down the whole boat (Since you've only scratched the top of the old finish, the wood is still protected)Day two - get up early, wipe down, tack, lay first coat.Day three - Sand, wash down (short day - by the time you are done sanding it is too hot to lay varnish)Day four - get up early, wipe down, tack, lay second coatDay five - pull tape, wash down, find and remove any drips that hit the paint. . . (or repeat three and four if doing three coats).

   This was about the time that some of the epoxy and waterbourne finishes were poking into the market.  The epoxy "varnishes" have really taken off.  They last about a year.  I ended up having one of the wheels done with it since it was such a pain to do. The problem with those is the dangerous fumes.

   I tried a new water based and it really screwed the whole boat up.  It did not last, it was cloudy, a nearby boat had its generator running and microscopic bits of soot caused fisheyes - what a disaster!

   Anyhow, I hated it in the beginning, mostly because I was so bad at it.  But laying varnish is like swinging a bat or golf club.  You can't learn it from a book.  The more you do it and learn from each expeience, the better it gets.  And finally, you learn to accept that, sometimes, you just shank one off into the woods ;-) (pick your metaphor: you can't strike out on fouls / that's what mulligans are for)

   When I finally got decent at it, I loved every part - careful taping, sanding with the tunes on, laying varnish with a partner to spot (dip, tap, lay, tip, leave it alone . . .)

   Welcome to a new love in woodworking.

   (I just thought of something - I even started to like cleaning my brushes! Bought a good varnish brush and took good care of it . .  .Thanks for the trip down memory lane)

   Steelkilt Lives!

   Edited 5/31/2003 10:13:28 AM ET by Jim

1. 
   forestgirl | May 31, 2003 07:34pm | #6

   Some reflections on your posts...

   Jim's"Day four - get up early..."  uuhhhhhmmmm, that's a toughie"I hated it in the beginning, mostly because I was so bad at it."  BINGO!"sanding with the tunes on" -- long live The Blues!"like cleaning my brushes!" -- we'll see <g>

   Kyle's"experimenting with different finishes..."  Yep, that's getting interesting  "you tend to like to do things more as you get better at them."  BINGO! again

   Kevin's"love at first sight" -- you are a lucky, artistic dude!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

2. 
   KyleZ | May 31, 2003 05:37pm | #4

   forestgirl,

   I get that.  I always hated finishing.  I don't know that I "like" it now, but I don't look at it quite as begrudgingly as I used to.  I have been mixing up my own BLO/tung oil mixtures, instead of buying Watco.  I have also been adding shellac to my repertoire of finishes.  In short, I have been experimenting with different finishes and techniques.

   I think taking a bigger interest in finishing is all part of the progression of becoming a good woodworker.  Let's face it, the finish is very important to the overall appearance of a piece.  It is almost senseless to become really good at design and construction techniques while neglecting finishing skills.  Plus, just like anything else, you tend to like to do things more as you get better at them.

   Cheers

   Kyle

3. 
   Kevin | May 31, 2003 07:04pm | #5

   hehe.... once bitten you'll never be free again.

   For me it was love at first sight. It's a huge creative outlet for me that I enjoy immensely. Especially the stain work.

   Regards,

   Kevin

4. 
   pauld | May 31, 2003 08:14pm | #7

   "Still don't see myself producing one of those mirror-finish mahogany tabletops, but anything up to that is a definite possibility!"

   FG,

   Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're right!  ; - )

   Paul

1. 
   forestgirl | May 31, 2003 11:42pm | #8

   Yeah, Paul, I know...attitude is everything.  You'll notice I said I "can't see" myself doing one of those -- that's because I can't see far enough into the future!  Figure I've got to lead up to that one, it'll take awhile.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

1. 
   BertJ | Jun 11, 2003 06:06pm | #9

   FG--

   I really enjoyed this thread, and suspect that many, many others have experienced this transition over time. I chuckled when I read your comments about the high-gloss finishes (don't most of us share that sentiment!) but must admit I have collected articles on French polish techniques. And I LOVE to see photos of quality reproductions--especially Federal period stuff. BUT, I, too, don't "see" myself doing this kind of work--at least not yet!

   BJ

1. 
   forestgirl | Jun 11, 2003 06:42pm | #10

   Thanks Bert, ain't it grand?!  I'm hopelessly hooked now -- my first "alder experience" is complete, using walnut gel stain, and it is so pretty!  French polising -- yep, that would be an excellent technique to get down pat.  Is going to take some practice, yes?forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)