Replies

1. 
   Ron_Brese | Jun 13, 2000 09:13pm | #1

   *
   Alan,

   I can't imagine why a grocery bag would be a replacement for rottenstone maybe she knows something
   that the rest of us don't. The longer the finish is
   given to cure the better. The harder it becomes the
   more surface tension it will develop and that all
   makes it easier to rub out. It sounds as though you
   are skipping a few steps in the rubbing out process.
   I start by leveling the finish with 400 or 600 grit
   wet/dry sandpaper used with a lubricant and then progressing to 4f pumice and then to the rottenstone.
   I have had some final coats of finish that layed down
   so well that I was able to start the rubbing out process with pumice powder but those times are rare.
   If you go straight to the rottenstone and get an uneven appearance to the finish you will know that
   you need to back up a few steps and go at it again. Also be careful,
   unlike lacquer that melts into itself and forms one film, poly goes on
   as individual layers of finish and rubbing thru one layer can leave
   strange looking areas in your finish.

1. 
   Alan_DeHaven | Jun 13, 2000 09:39pm | #2

   *Thanks for the advice. I don't know what the grocery bag thing was either and frankly wasn't about to try it out on this project. I've done the 400 and 600 grit leveling. Have the nice high gloss finish I was looking for and am ready to move on.Will rubbing out the finish with pumice do anything for the tiny moon crater looking features in my project? It looks drop dead gorgeous from five feet away but if I hold it up to the light at an anlge I've got about 1 to 2 dozen of these tiny craters.I was almost done once and decided to go back to 320. Am glad I did as it looks much better now except for the problem mentioned above.BTW, I used Diamond Varathane and brushed on with a foam brush.

1. 
   Ron_Brese | Jun 14, 2000 04:04am | #3

   *Alan,The 4f pumice may round over the edges of the cratersso as to make them less defined and apparent to theeye. It certainly is worth trying. You did not mention if the finish was gloss or semi-gloss. Imperfections of the type you mentioned are certainlygoing to show more in a gloss finish. The semi-glossis a lot more forgiving.

1. 
   Alan_DeHaven | Jul 06, 2000 11:35pm | #4

   *It is a gloss finish. And yes, it is not very forgiving.