12-31-2007, 05:34 AM
I second the recommendation of white (fine) scotchbrite pad rather than the traditional 0000 steel wool!
Steel wool sheds, and can leave little bits behind that must be cleaned off thoroughly before another coat.
From where you are, if you don't like the surface you're getting, I would do this;
With fresh 320 sandpaper, WET sand the surfaces.. keeping the paper and surfaces wet while you sand... don't let it dry out into a thick paste.
Thorough wipe down with damp paper towels until clean..
Dry paper towels until dry.
Let dry for a couple hours to a day (depending on your shops temp).
Apply a new coat of finish.
After it's dry, use the scotchbrite pad to "knock down" the surface flat. This gives a good surface for a new coat to bond to.
Coat of finish.
WET sand with 400 grit paper. Clean with damp paper towels.
Coat of finish.
WET sand with 600 grit. Clean and dry.
If the finish is too shiny for you, use rubbing compound or pumice and water.
Personally, I think wet sanding with 600 leaves a nice semi-gloss finish.
Now, all this applies to OIL finishes and modified polyurethane's.... I have never worked with true "lacquer" finishes....
I've gotten wonderful results on rifle stocks with tung oil and wet sanding and scotchbrite "roughing" of the early coats.
Naturally, others here have more woodworking and finishing experience than I do... but that's what's worked for me.
Steel wool sheds, and can leave little bits behind that must be cleaned off thoroughly before another coat.
From where you are, if you don't like the surface you're getting, I would do this;
With fresh 320 sandpaper, WET sand the surfaces.. keeping the paper and surfaces wet while you sand... don't let it dry out into a thick paste.
Thorough wipe down with damp paper towels until clean..
Dry paper towels until dry.
Let dry for a couple hours to a day (depending on your shops temp).
Apply a new coat of finish.
After it's dry, use the scotchbrite pad to "knock down" the surface flat. This gives a good surface for a new coat to bond to.
Coat of finish.
WET sand with 400 grit paper. Clean with damp paper towels.
Coat of finish.
WET sand with 600 grit. Clean and dry.
If the finish is too shiny for you, use rubbing compound or pumice and water.
Personally, I think wet sanding with 600 leaves a nice semi-gloss finish.
Now, all this applies to OIL finishes and modified polyurethane's.... I have never worked with true "lacquer" finishes....
I've gotten wonderful results on rifle stocks with tung oil and wet sanding and scotchbrite "roughing" of the early coats.
Naturally, others here have more woodworking and finishing experience than I do... but that's what's worked for me.