Red Wood Table / Jarrah Door Frame exterior protection

[Freo]

I have an old redwood coffee table that has been outside in the elements for the last year. I sanded it back 40 - 60 - 120 grit. Then wife varnished it with some exterior marine varnish (we live near ocean). The varnish is dry, but the surface is still rough. How can i finish the table so that it is totally smooth.


I am using the table as practise before i work on the jarrah door frame (100yrs of grime, dirt, frame is amost grey) on verandah. Have sanded back a small section and the red wood looks great. How do i finish door frame so that it is protected and smooth?

[wisno]

To get your finish smooth you need to sand the varnish and redo the varnish application until get the smooth surface. Do thea sanding between the varnish with a sterated sandpaper with 320 or 400 grade.
Do the same way for the door fame

[Rookie]

You'll probably find the first coat of varnish made the wood fibres stand up a little. Light sanding and a couple more coats should do it.

[Horsecroft88]

Absolutely spot on advice there. Mind you between the last sanding using 120 and perhaps using 320/400 grade I think it might be wise to use an intermediate grade such as 180-240 and then recoat, then sand back with say the 320/400 and then recoat. Obviously always removing all dust between sanding coats and trying to re-coat in a non dusty environment.

If it still feels rough after that then perhaps you could go further still up to 600 but I reckon you probably shouldnt need to go that far.