Replies

1. 
   Danford_C_ | Apr 04, 2002 04:53am | #1

   Jeff,

   Using Sherwin Williams would be part of the problem. ;-)  I also suspect that the varnish is old.....

   Dano

   "Form and Function are One" - Frank L. Wright
2. 
   HowardAcheson | Apr 04, 2002 05:13pm | #2

   What's different about the top? Is it the same wood? Is it solid wood or plywood?

   Also, your wiping varnish will dry faster if you use naphtha rather than mineral spirits. Wipe it on like the kid at Denny's wipes your table. Do it quickly, don't go over it--you'll get what you missed on the next coat. Only be careful on the final coat.

   As Dano, suggests, is your finish fresh? Newer VOC compliant formulations of finishes have slowed down the drying quite a bit. Be sure to keep everything above 65 degrees.

   
   

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   Edited 4/4/2002 3:09:03 PM ET by Howie

1. 
   JEvans | Apr 05, 2002 12:36am | #4

   Dano / Howie,

   Thanks for the input. The can was right off the store shelf (no legible date). Normally I wouldn't have bought that brand. One of the contributing editors for FW uses it. I figured if its good enough for him, it ought to be good enough for me.

   The tops are solid mahogany, the bases mahogany and mahogany veneer laminations for the curved surfaces. Checked them today. They are almost hard enough to sand and recoat. This time I won't rush it.

   Jeff

1. 
   HowardAcheson | Apr 05, 2002 06:27pm | #5

   Keep the temperature up and try the naphtha instead of the mineral spirits.

1. 
   jhausch | Apr 07, 2002 11:23pm | #6

   I will "third" or "fourth" the thought that Mineral Spirits were the wrong choice for thinning.

   I have never heard of wiping on varnish however; I've always brushed.  Lay it down, tip it once, leave it alone.  The temp you mentioned should allow it to flow out well.Steelkilt Lives!

1. 
   JEvans | Apr 08, 2002 04:26am | #7

   I ended up stripping the varnish and will start over. This time its naptha and patience before applying a second coat.

3. 
   Paul_Snyder | Apr 05, 2002 12:34am | #3

   Jeff,

   If you apply finish the way I do, you layed it on a little (or a lot) heavier on the top than the verticals. I fight this tendency all the time. The top needed more time to cure, but you applied a second coat, sealing in the uncured varnish. Without exposure to air, the bottom coat may never dry. I'd remove the finish from the top and re-do it.