Getting that Perfect Finish

[Waigy]

Hi Everyone.

I have just finished building a table top for indoors (pine) and about to varnish it (needs to be varnished so it is more water resistant). Whenever I see work from you professionals you always get a beautiful perfect smooth finish. I usually get a good finish, bet never perfect. There are always some small bubble divots and small stroke marks. Do you use a brush or some other applicator. What technique do you use for getting that perfect finish?

Any feedback would be much appreciated.

[Wood Borer]

Waigy,

There is a wonderful book on the topic called "A Polishers Handbook" written by Neil Ellis (chap who runs this BB). You can order it on the UBeaut webpage. Instead of pressing Bulletin Board, press U Beaut products and you can order your own copy. It is worthwhile buying.

- Wood Borer

[Gumby]

Watch the dust. Decant some varnish from the tin into a jar and use it that way. Never dip your brush back into the tin. It will add dust to the varnish.

Use a tack cloth after sanding to get rid of any dust. Sand *really* smooth. If you don't , it doesn't matter what you do, it won't be great.

Use a clean brush (good quality).

And finish with a cut using Ubeaut EEE polish.

[zitan]

Welcome to the forum Waigy;

Could elaborate a bit on what finish you're using? A good finish is a combo of lots of things - surface prep, the finish, application etc.

Any of these sound familiar?
1) Boiled linseed oil
2) Tung oil (tung oil based finish - Danish oils, Watco, penetrating oil, polymerised, teak oil, organoil)
3) Shellac
4) Natural Lacquer
5) Fossil-gum varnish - mastic, copal, dammar, amber, kauri-gum, rosin
6) Polyurethane
7) Nitrocellulose lacquer
8) Wax - beeswax, carnauba, candle, polycrystalline

brushed, sprayed, wiped, padded?
zitan

[MajorPanic]

Hand finishing a project is a pain!!

But to get a perfect finish, it goes like this (for me anyway)

Hand plane an excellent surface

Sand to 320+ grit (the higher the grit the glossier the finish)

First varnish coat thinned to 50% with Natural Turps

Second & subsequent coats, full strength

Sand between coats so that ALL of the surface you are coating is 'dulled' by the sand paper THEN use 0000 steel wool to flatten out ALL imperfections on the entire surface.

I used to apply at least 3, full strength coast. So a total of 4 coats to achieve a beautiful ¾ gloss finish.
To get full gloss use steel wool instead of sandpaper and at least 5 coats :mad:

The finish is exceptional and soooo silky to the touch but it takes just as long to finish a project as to build it. :confused:

[rsser]

Don't shake your varnish tin before you start brushing it on; you'll be painting on air bubbles. And yes, avoid dust like the plague, so finish the piece somewhere other than where you just sanded :)
Ern

[Waigy]

Thanks Everyone for your great feedback ! :)

Much appriciated !