Splotchy Cloudy Finish using GF High Performance Gloss
I have a problem with cloudiness and discoloration in the finish using the water based High Performance Gloss topcoat. I’ve built a bow front dresser (see pictures) and on two of the drawer fronts and a spot on the case I have this problem:
I did the following:
- started with unfinished cherry sanded to 220 with Granat sandpaper
- Applied one good coat of Old Master’s wiping stain, wiped off well and allowed to dry for 3 days
- Applied 5 coats of GF High Performance Gloss; lightly sanding between coats with Norton’s foam backed sanding pad P400-P320;
- I usually put down two coats in a day over three days;
- on final sanding went from P400 to P600 to P1000 and then to a polishing compound (Festool MPA 5010) using a random orbit foam pad.
- I noticed immediately that some areas appeared cloudy and were not buffing out. Even after applying repeated buffing the cloudiness didn’t go away.
I did several drawer fronts and surfaces that worked well. What did I do wrong here and how do i fix it?
Replies
You may have put down too many coats of finish and trapped moisture in between coats. I don't consider myself a finishing guru but I use GF products frequently, but limit it to the recommended 2-3 coats and have never had a problem. You also don't mention how it was applied, but the picture looks like it was brushed. Five coats brushed is much different than 5 coats sprayed and is probably way too much finish. More is not always better.
I'm also assuming the old masters was a solvent based stain, which if I'm not mistaken should have been given 72+ hours drying time, but remember drying time is greatly affected by temperature and humidity so nothing is cast in stone. I always let solvent based stains dry a minimum of 5 days to be safe.
My first coarse of action would be to do nothing, let it sit and see if the trapped moisture can work its way out. If not sanding is the only coarse of action I can think of. Go slow and hopefully the problem is in one of the later coats and you don't need to sand all the way down to wood.
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