Years ago while in <!—-><!—->Africa <!—->, I had a humidor made for me out of African Ribbon Mahogany. It was unfinished when I received it. Over the years I have made small improvements to it, including staining and finishing it. It’s been quite a few years since then…<!—-><!—-> <!—->
I’ve started back into woodworking, and back into this humidor. The finish still looks great, but I want to add some oak pieces to the project. I want the finish to match as much a possible. Here is my problem:<!—-><!—->
I vaguely remember exactly how I applied the finish to the humidor. I remember applying polyurethane (varnish maybe?) coats and sanding in between (progressively finer grit). The finish is very hard and very smooth – glassy. <!—-> <!—->
I am trying to do this to the oak pieces that I’m adding. Hard and glassy. I have wipe-on Poly, but all that does is pull off the stain I applied yesterday.
Can anyone give me a step-by-step on the finishing technique I used? (If memory serves, I got it from a FW mag years ago). Maybe I shouldn’t use the wipe-on poly?
Can anyone give me some advice on finishing the stained oak w/out pulling off the stain?<!—-><!—->
Thanks in advance.<!—-><!—->
Tony
Edited 10/10/2006 10:37 pm ET by TonySic
Replies
Looks like to me the Poly is acting like a solvent to the stain. I vaguely remember that you can use a wash coat of a de-waxed shellac, sand and then add your wipe on poly process. What about brushing on the first coat of poly since it would be working mechanically less on the stain, then after it dries and sanding you can do the wipe on version. The problem I have seen with wipe on is the mineral spirits is a higher concentration. Which means more solvent. If you were to take regular strength poly in your flavor, brush on the first coat, sand then you can go back to the wipe on which is nothing more than the regular poly thinned out to about 50/50 with mineral spirits.
Semper Fi
Edited 10/10/2006 10:56 pm ET by Jarhead
Tony,
I've built many pieces out of oak then stained and finished with poly and never had a problem like yours. But then I've never used the wipe on type of poly. I'm sure this is your problem. I think the poly solvents along with the rubbing action even though it is gentle is what is the cause of your grief. The suggestion of a light coat of 1 lb cut of shellac brushed or sprayed on followed by a light sanding before trying the wipe on poly should give you good results. I'd be careful brushing on the shellac and would try it on a scrap first to make sure you don't cause problems with the stain before using it on your project.
Ron
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