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Tip
#44
Finishing
Touches
Part 4 of 6 - Applying A Synthetic Finish
(continued)
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Brushing
After
you purchase a synthetic finish, let it sit on a shelf for
a day or so before you open it. When you do open it, don't
stir or shake it. Stirring or shaking will create bubbles
that will detract from the final appearance of your finish.
Before
using a sanding sealer, read the directions on the can. Many
synthetics require their own sealer to ensure good adhesion
or prevent a chemical reaction. Often, the best sealer for
any particular synthetic is one you make yourself by thinning
the finish 1:1 with the appropriate solvent.
Sand your
project down with 5/0 garnet sandpaper, then wipe it down
thoroughly with a tack rag before applying the finish. It's
important that you remove all dust and foreign materials before
applying the finish to the wood. Grease can be dissolved and
wiped away with denatured alcohol or naptha. CAUTION: Do this
in a well ventilated area and follow all the precautions on
the label of the solvent you use.
Begin
brushing on the finish at the corners of the project, working
in toward the center. Go over the surface a second time, brushing
against the grain...and a third time, working with the grain.
On this last pass, lightly stroke the surface with the tip
of the brush to smooth out any brush marks.
Allow
the finish to dry for the amount of time indicated on the
can -- usually 2 to 4 hours -- before applying a second coat.
Test the surface of the finish with your thumbnail to see
if it has hardened enough. If the thumbnail leaves an indentation,
allow more drying time. When it's properly hardened, lightly
scuff-sand with 6/0 garnet sandpaper, wipe down and recoat
using the same procedure as before.
After
the final coat, sand with 7/0 garnet paper and rub in a good
quality carnauba paste wax with 3/0 steel wool for a satin
finish. For a gloss finish, rub with pumice stone and oil,
then rub in the wax with a soft cloth and buff.
Continue
to Rubbing
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