Replies

1. 
   Gretchen | May 10, 2009 09:22pm | #1

   Even though you say it looks good, I would suggest at least 2 more coats of your wipe on.  You will be even happier. You barely have the equivalent of one coat of varnish on your piece.

   Wax doesn't provide any protection at all. It can be a dust catcher, and once you wax, you have to keep on doin' it.

   Gretchen
1. 
   wmmorrow | May 10, 2009 11:09pm | #3

   Ok!! Thanks. Two reponses both say add material and no wax,  will do. What kind of protection does 7 coats give?

    

   Bill

1. 
   SteveSchoene | May 11, 2009 02:05am | #4

   Seven coats is the equivalent of about 2 full brushed on coats, and would be very protective, resisting both moisture and household chemicals to a substantial degree.  Yet it should still look thin and attractive. 

1. 
   wmmorrow | May 11, 2009 04:37pm | #5

   Thanks Steve!

   I now have 4 coats on it and will continue.

    The piece is a mohogany British Officers tray-on-stand campaign style table similar to the one in Popular Woodworking magazine done by Mario Rodriguez. (Aug 2008)

   I made some changes on it. The legs were made 1"x2" with rosettes at the intersecting points the tops, bottom and center left retangular but the other sections rounded. The gallery sides were reduced to 3 rather than 4 inches as I thought it improved the looks of the piece. Also mitered the edges and used keys as the 3" left quite small dovetails.

   So not a lot of surface to finish.   

   Thanks again to all!

   Bill

    

1. 
   Gretchen | May 11, 2009 08:41pm | #6

   You can probably get away with 5 or so coats on the "legs", but I'd go for as many as 8 on the tray.Gretchen

2. 
   wmmorrow | May 14, 2009 04:31am | #10

   Gretchen,

   When you apply coats; say 4 thru 8 do you still use 0000 steel wool/600 sandpaper between coats?

   After the third coat I thought that just rubbing out with a soft cloth would do as the surface was quite smooth.

   Thanks for all you help on this issue!!!

   Bill

    

3. 
   Gretchen | May 14, 2009 04:36pm | #11

   Not every coat, even for the first ones. Apply when the coat is "just dry", not too long between. I have easily done 3 coats in a day.   Then let dry overnight, sand or steel wool, wipe really well, and apply more--about every 3rd coat.

   Someone had a saying, apply until it looks terrific and then do one more!  ;o)Gretchen

2. 
   mrbird90 | May 10, 2009 11:03pm | #2

   You should definitely put on at least 2 more coats. I usually apply 5 to 7 as standard.

3. 
   Dubie | May 11, 2009 10:25pm | #7

   Yes I agree a few more coats are in order.   Also, please do not do what I did a few years back and that is to use Briswax on your new poly finish.  Briswax  has  toluene as a solvenbt and erods the poly.  

1. 
   SteveSchoene | May 12, 2009 02:12am | #8

   As a note. Briwax makes another version Briwax 2000 that skips the toluene.  Briwax is intended as a cleaning wax for older furniture and the toluene helps remove oily dirt. 

2. 
   Gretchen | May 12, 2009 05:38pm | #9

   What Steve said--two types. But after the finish has cured well, either kind is a wonderful wax, IF you want to wax.

   AND if you use the one with toluene, be SURE to have GREAT ventilation. NO foolin'.  Gretchen