Replies

1. 
   BG | Nov 18, 2002 02:48pm | #1

   Dave,

   My sense from this forum is there is no majic number.  I put on 3-4 usually starting with a 1 lb cut (to expose and lightly sand the wood hairs) and then going to 2 lb.  Last month, for the first time, I rubbed out the final coat with 400 grit and parrfin oil....wow, talk about soft...it's a shame baby's bottoms are so rough in comparasion.....lol

2. 
   davamoore | Nov 18, 2002 05:17pm | #2

   Dave, I agree with BG, especially about that first 1# cut.  3-4 coats would be a minimum... but in some cases, that might also be a maximum.  It's sounds silly, I know, but I usually stop applying a finish when the wood looks right, i.e., the way I want it and for the purpose (or when I realize that another coat would be ridiculous!)

   Seriously, a lot depends on the wood, the finish, the application method, etc... For example, sometimes I want the natural, open-pored look of some woods, so I don't spend a lot of time building up and wet-sanding to a smooth finish.  Other times, I want a very smooth, semi-gloss finish that looks a bit built-up, which can take more coats (especially if wiped on) with some open-pored, loose grain woods vs. small-pore, tight-grain woods.

   I don't know that this helps much... except to point out that rules are very fluid.

   David

   Look, I made a hat -- Where there never was a hat!