Peter,
I am finishing a curly cherry dining table with Tried and True Varnish Oil. After the 3rd coat (5 intended), I spilled a glass of water on the tabletop. After wiping it up, I noticed the grain was raised and the tabletop was very “furry”. I’ve sanded and lightly scraped the raised grain to smooth it out.
I am concerned that any time I wipe up the tabletop after using it, the furry texture will return. Should I continue the finishing process as normal? Will the water spilled in between finish coats harm the final finish?
Thanks for your help!
-Eric
Replies
Hi Eric,
That's an unusual one. If you've raised the grain with a water spill it tells me the wood is not yet sealed.
I would go ahead and raise the grain on the whole thing by wetting it down, let it dry and "fuzz" up. Give it a sanding with 200 or 320 as required.
For the next coats of oil you may consider wet sanding the oil in with 400 or 600 grit wet/dry paper. I know that T&T is a very thick varnish. You might thin it with a little mineral spirits to accomplish this. Warming the solution will aslo help reduce the viscocity.
Be sure and wipe all the excess off. Come back to it after a while and wipe it down again. Thin varnishes applied in this manner will give you a silky smooth surface. Just understand going in that it also offers minimal protection for surface use. Just treat it with a little care when you are having dinner etc.
For everything you give up you get something else. This is an extremely easy surface to rejuvenate when required. Just clean it and apply another coat of your finish. It doesn't' get any easier than that.
T & T is one of those finishes that you love or hate. Let me know which you are when you get done.
Good luck.
Peter
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