Replies

1. 
   jackplane | Dec 09, 2004 05:21pm | #1

   Wipe with mineral spirits to provide contrast to see sanding flaws;this will also imitate a clearcoat finish.

   Wipe with a damp cloth to raise the grain, then sand for a smoother surface.The first coat of any finish will harden the grain surface, then sand again.

   Good finishing requires several steps and though some finishes are easier to apply than others, I find there are no shortcuts.

1. 
   damanman | Dec 12, 2004 06:19am | #4

   THanks for the help.

2. 
   douglas2cats | Dec 09, 2004 05:58pm | #2

   I've used mineral spirits with pretty good results too, but if you're not looking at it in good lighting you can still miss things.  Strong sunlight probably works best, but for indoor use, I switched to using those 500W tripod mounted Halogen lamps before I was confident I was seeing everything.

    

3. 
   HowardAcheson | Dec 09, 2004 06:04pm | #3

   Mineral spirits will work well as a glue finder and color preview but you can use alcohol too. Alcohol will evaporate faster so you can get back to finishing.

   If you are going to use a finish other than waterborne, the first coat of the finish itself is the best sealer. Just thin the first coat about 25-30% which will allow it to be absorbed deeper and dry faster. When dry, lightly sand the surface flat using 320 paper backed by a sanding pad. Then apply full strength coats.

   Howie.........
1. 
   damanman | Dec 12, 2004 06:22am | #5

   thanks for the response.  What is waterborne?  Also have applied poly with sponge applicator prior to your advise to cut the first coat.  Have applied four coats with 220 sanding in between.  My next move is to sand with finer paper and apply a thinned final coat.  Make sense?

1. 
   HowardAcheson | Dec 12, 2004 05:46pm | #6

   >>What is waterborneWaterborne finishes are finishes where the cleanup liquid is water. The finish contains water as the carrier for the other chemicals in the finish.Yes, you can lightly scuff sand the existing finish when dry and carefully apply a final coat.Howie.........