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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2023
    Location
    Australia
    Age
    40
    Posts
    4

    Unhappy I think i've made a grave mistake

    I have been creating this table for the past couple of weeks (I am new to woodworking) and I finally stained and vanished (1 round) and the wood has come up like this? What happened? It was nicely smooth and sanded before.
    20230330-204559 hosted at ImgBB — ImgBB

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Location
    Perth W.A
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    76

    Default

    Did you use an oil based stain and water based varnish ?

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2023
    Location
    Australia
    Age
    40
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    4

    Default

    I used Feast Watsons ProofTint Spirit based interior stain and the Feast Watson Satin Clear Varnish

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Location
    Perth W.A
    Posts
    76

    Default

    Was the proof tint fully dry before applying the varnish ?
    Looks like some kind of strange interaction has taken place.
    Do you know what wood species you used ?

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2023
    Location
    Australia
    Age
    40
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    4

    Default

    I did wait for it to dry fully and then applied the varnish 5 days later.

    Okoume hardwood timber is the timber I used. You are right, it's a weird interaction.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    bilpin
    Posts
    510

    Default

    Okoume is often very high in silica. This will cause surface defects like tiny bubbles appearing under the first finish coats of varnish have been applied, particularly if left in the sun to dry. Sand back to a good surface and refinish. May take a few coats to settle down but should come good next time round. Problem can also be caused by silicon spray being used on machinery (planer) as a lubricant during dressing of the timber.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2023
    Location
    Australia
    Age
    40
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    4

    Default

    Amazing, thanks for the advice. I'll try sand back and try again, is sanding after varnish relatively easy?

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    blue mountains
    Posts
    0

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by mikethewoodwork View Post
    Amazing, thanks for the advice. I'll try sand back and try again, is sanding after varnish relatively easy?
    Afraid not. The varnish clogs up the sandpaper. A card scraper or a Stanley 80 would get it done quicker.
    Other option is paint stripper. Brush on and it softens up the varnish making it easy to get off with a scraper. Then its sanding again for next try.
    Regards
    John

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    bilpin
    Posts
    510

    Default

    You dont need to remove the varnish completely. In fact, you want to keep the surface sealed to prevent more silica coming to the surface and causing the same problem again. Only sand to an extent that removes the blemishes, not back to the timber. Use an anti clog sand paper, this will help with varnish retention. Not perfect but it does help.

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