Replies

1. 
   deancruse | Dec 08, 2007 03:47am | #1

   Here's a pic of what I'm talking about. You can see the "band" on the left edge.

   Appreciate any help!

   
1. 
   saschafer | Dec 08, 2007 03:58am | #2

   Is there any possibility that the proportions of the mix you're now using on the top are significantly different from what you used before?

   -Steve

    

1. 
   deancruse | Dec 08, 2007 04:24am | #3

   if they varied, it was only by a little bit.

1. 
   saschafer | Dec 09, 2007 03:38am | #4

   The reason I ask is that the edge looks a bit lighter than the rest, and the only way I can think of for that to happen is if the edge had gotten sealed with polyurethane or something before the oil had fully penetrated it.

   Is is possible that the problem isn't the finish but in the wood? The uniformity of the width of the band around the edge of the table makes me wonder if the wood there might have gotten burnished during a machining step (say, while running a router around the edge to trim it).

   -Steve

    

1. 
   Gretchen | Dec 09, 2007 02:47pm | #5

   What you say makes sense because I can't see too much problem--the wood has so much figure that it seems "natural". Maybe I'm not seeing/understanding the exact problem.Gretchen

2. 
   Rich14 | Dec 09, 2007 04:46pm | #6

   Dean,

   Whatever the cause, the only real way to correct the problems is too sand the existing finish back and restart.

   The problem is either a characteristic in the wood, such as burnishing as has been mentioned, or the band is due to a difference in finish coats. I don't think it's going to be possible to figure out which until you remove the finish.

   Here are 2 tips for preparing wood that is going to receive an oil-containing finish.

   First, as the last step after cleaning the wood of all sanding dust and starting the finishing, wet the entire piece down with paint thinner or naphtha. While wet, the piece will look much like it will when finished and the solvent will show you any spots that won't take finish properly, such as glue that hasn't been completely removed, and perhaps burnished areas such as the currently visible band. The solvent will completely evaporate, leaving the surface unchanged (except that it might accomplish some additional final cleaning)

   Second, rub the ENTIRE piece down with BLO. This is easy enough to do vs applying the actual finish which you have planned one section at a time. This will start the color development of the wood that is going to happen anyway with the finish and will smooth out and prevent variations in color that might happen with the subsequent sectional finishing. And like the solvent step, it will also show you any areas that are going to react "strangely" to final finishing.

   Rich

1. 
   deancruse | Dec 10, 2007 07:08am | #7

   Thanks, everyone. I don't think it was burnishing, but several coats of oil that made it to the top edge due to my carelessness. In any event, I took it back to raw wood and all looks good now. Thanks again!