Replies

1. 
   jackplane | May 11, 2004 04:47pm | #1

   The density of the veneer will affect the absorption of the stain, and it varies depending where knots were near, and soft and harder grain sections. I'd wipe it with mineral spirits to remove the excess oil, and then wax it.

2. 
   CStanford | May 11, 2004 07:01pm | #2

   You got surface build on some spots and probably sanded through the surface build in other spots.  Watco has a varnish component.  Four applications probably begged for six to get an even build, which would have been very thin.  At that point, you are dealing with a varnish finish and all the caveats apply to the buffing process, namely being careful not to abrade the varnish away.

   Go through the routine a couple more times using 800-1,000 grit.  Don't worry about the wax, the Watco will dissolve it.  Keep your last application very wet while you sand and then wipe the excess away with paper towels.  Do not sand until the surface starts to get dry and gummy.  Leave it wet and remove the excess with cloths or paper towels. Buff thoroughly each day for the next three days.  

   Use a cork sanding block on flat surfaces and do not apply too much pressure.

1. 
   BG | May 11, 2004 08:39pm | #3

   cstanford,

   Thanks, just what I wanted to know.  It seemed to be building a thin varnish finish.

   I'm just a tiny bit confused by:

   "Keep your last application very wet while you sand and then wipe the excess away with paper towels.  Do not sand until the surface starts to get dry and gummy.  Leave it wet and remove the excess with cloths or paper towels. Buff thoroughly each day for the next three days."

   I understand the "keep you last application very wet while you sand and then wipe the excess away with paper towels". But the next sentance "so not sand until the surface starts to get dry and gummy"?...or should that be do not STOP Sanding until the surface gets gummy? thanks

1. 
   CStanford | May 11, 2004 09:36pm | #4

   Typo....

   You should not sand the last coat (or any coat for that matter) to the point that the slurry starts to get gummy.  Either stop sanding or add more oil.  The gist is that the surface should always be nice and wet WHILE you are doing your sanding work.  Clean the excess with paper towels and dispose of properly.

   Do not sand barehanded.  Your finger pressure will cut through the very thin varnish build you start to get around the third or fourth application of Danish oil. 

   An alternative would be to simply use boiled linseed oil which has no varnish.  Add a teaspoon of Japan drier per pint of oil to move things along.

   Another alternative is to make the last couple of applications without doing any sanding at all. 

   This fellow has a nice routine that should work as well:

   http://www.wwch.org/Technique/FinishesRL/OilFin.htm

1. 
   BG | May 12, 2004 12:19am | #5

   CStanford,

   Again, thanks.  Yes, the link you provided I have been following to the letter.  I posted my question when I got to step 15 and noticed the spotty surface.  I just gave is another coat of Watco Oil (very thin) and applied with my hands only (wiped with cotton cloth after 15mins.).  When it drys I'll lightly sand if necessary with 1000 grit, check for eveness of thin finish and hit it with another coat if necessary...or let it throughly dry and apply wax in a week or two.  Thanks