Replies

1. 
   LeeGrindinger | Feb 04, 2004 06:03am | #1

   Bob,

   I really don't know about this film of which you speak, it may be dust. Blow or vaccum the dust before you apply finish and sand between coats. Don't waste your time sanding past 180 or 220 for a film finish. For stain I'll go to 220 but for clear finishes I frequently don't sand past 150. The first coat will be as rough as a cobb so plan on the sanding between coats.

   Lee

   http://www.furniturecarver.com
2. 
   forestgirl | Feb 04, 2004 06:08am | #2

   For sure, you don't want to finish it until you get the surface clean.  Just in case, what type of sandpaper are you using??  Brand and stearated or not?

   forestgirl Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)  you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)

3. 
   fdampier5 | Feb 04, 2004 07:40am | #3

   take a damp cloth and wipe it off.. you'll want to raise the grain a little anyway especially if you are using water based finishes..

4. 
   maple_geek | Feb 04, 2004 10:24pm | #4

   That's why I use hanplanes and scrapers over sanding...especially when using darker woods like walnut. It's not too late, give it a try and it should get rid of all the dust stuck in the wood pores.

   Eric

5. 
   bleubassplyr | Feb 04, 2004 10:30pm | #5

   Bob,

   If it is indeed wood dust you could use an oil finish or a 3 part (oil, poly, mineral spirits) finish and the dust would act to fill the pores slightly.

   Keep away from people who belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great.-Mark Twain
6. 
   CharlieP | Feb 05, 2004 12:16am | #6

   Try moistening it with mineral spirits.  If it is sanding dust, it will darken just as the wood itself does.  If it stays light, sorry, I don't have an answer. 

   Apparently you are looking for a very smooth finish.  Walnut grain is open enough that it needs to be filled if you want that "mirror smooth" look.  One way is with a dark wood filler.  Another way is fine sanding with the first oil/varnish (poly) coat, so the sanding dust becomes a filler glued in by the oil/varnish.  Or a variety of other techniques to fill the pores. 

   ________________________
   Charlie Plesums  Austin, Texas
   http://www.plesums.com/wood

7. 
   TomT226 | Feb 05, 2004 02:41pm | #7

   Wipe it down with naptha. Won't raise the grain. Evaporates quickly and will take most anything off....