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I’m attempting my first rubbed out finish with pumice & rottenstone. I built up 6 or so coats of gloss polyurethane on a scrap piece and rubbed it down with 2F, 4F, and rottenstone. While creamy smooth, it is not a glossy finish. I only rubbed each grit for a couple minutes. Is more rubbing time needed?
Also, the piece I’m going to finish is fairly detailed with recessed areas and beading. How do I approach these nooks and crannies with pumice and rottenstone? Will the grit build up in the cracks and corners?
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What are you trying to accomplish? You won't increase the gloss. 6 coats is probably overkill. but if you must, just use the rottenstone with some oil. Hand polishing, as you are describing it, is more often done on lacquer or shellac finish
*First, how long have you let it cure? Six coats of poly can take 4-6 weeks to fully cure and I never rub out poly in less than four weeks. Second, some poly will rub to a gloss, some won't. It depends on whether it is a "short oil" or "long oil". Short oil contains a high percentage of resins to oil and is a much harder finish and will rub to a gloss. Long oil varnishes will never get better than they are when first dry. Rubbing will produce a satin finish, not a gloss. Most exterior polys are long oil varnishes that allow the wood to move without harming the finish. Interior polys are generally short oil.
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