Datasheet

or
polyurethane varnish. Also, use non-
stearated
paper
whenever
you
plan
to
add more finish.
If
you prefer
to use a
lubricant when
sanding a
finish, rely
on
nonstearated
paper.
Lubricants help to float away the
particles
that cause corning, the
forma-
tion of small. hard balls of
finish on the
paper.
Corning can create
visible
scratches
in the finish.
Your lubricant choices with
wet/dry
paper
include
water with
a bit
of soap,
paint
thinner/mineral
spirits, naphtha,
wax,
and
oil. Experiment with them
to
get
a
feel for their characteristics. You'll
find that soapy water allows the
fastest
cutting, but also
the
greatest
level of
corning. Oil slows
the cutting, but
allows the least corning.
Faster cutting sounds
like
a
time-saver,
but
it
easily
can lead to sand-throughs,
like the one shown
in Photo F. All lubri-
cants tend to
disguise sand-throughs.
You might
go
through the
finish and not
even realize it until the lubricant dries,
creating damage
that's
hard
to
fix.
To achieve an even surface, sand lighr
ly, clean
it,
and shine
a
bright
light on it.
If
you
see shiny spots, the surface
isn't
level. Continue sanding the
entire sur-
face, not
just
the shiny spots.
Each coat of an evaporative finish-
such as lacquer
and shellac-softens the
previous
coat,
creating a bond that amal-
gamates
into essentially one
coat, as
shown in Drawing
2. However, each coat
of a reactive finish-varnishes and some
water-based
products-dries
as
a sepa-
rate
layer,
which can create
problems
in
sanding and
polishing.
If
you
sand
unevenly,
you
might cut through one
layer into
another,
resulting in irregular
shapes with white edges.
Once
you've
leveled the surface so that
it feels
good
to the touch, and looks
good,
apply a coat of
paste
wax. Use an abrasive
pad
as described
previously.
Keep
going
for
gloss
When
you
want to
put
a high
gloss
on a
lacquer
or
shellac
finish,
begin
by leveling it as
discussed
previously.
Then
continue rubbing
with finer
abrasives until
you're
satis-
fied with the appearance.
You can use sandpaper
in the
800-
to
1,500-grit range, a
mix
of
papers
and com-
pounds,
compounds hlone, or
"micro
meshes,"
which
range up to an amazing
12,000
grit.
Rubbing and
polishing
compounds
labeled for
woodworking
or
automotive
care are easy to
find, and do
a
great
job
on wood
finishes.
Most
rubbing compounds
are
orange, and
produce
a
satin
finish. Follow with a
white
polishing
compound
glossier
look.
You can apply these
materials
by
hand
or
with a machine. A felt block or a floor
finish application
pad
with a short nap
works
great
for
applying
rubbing com-
pounds.
A lamb's wool
pad
works well
for buffing with
polishing
compounds,
as shown in Photo G. Stop by the
hard-
ware
store,
and
pick
up a lamb's
wool
applicator
designed for floor finishes.
Save time on
large; flat surfaces by
using a dedicated buffing
machine or
your
random-orbit sander. Many
ran-
dom-orbit sanders
have
optional
heads
for rubbing and
polishing-check your
owner's manual. Take care
not
to
polish
through
the finish, exposing bare
wood,
or to build up
excessive heat, which can
destroy
almost any finish.
Finally, apply a well-buffed coat of
quality paste
wax. This coating
protects
your
finish against
wear.
lF
A lamb's wool applicator
like the one shown
here
gives you
room to
grip
with two hands and apply
pressure
as
you
rub. The rubbing agent being
used
on this tabletop
is
a
fine automotive compound.
to attain a
Written by Jim
Kullwith
Jim
Pollock
Photographs:
Mafi Baldwin;
Hetherington
Photography
lllustrations: Roxanne LeMoine
Sorrrces
for
rutrbing supplies
Can't
find what
you
need
at
the
hardware
store or
home
center?
Here are a couple of outlets
for
the
good
stuff.
.Woodcraft:
Sandpaper,
abrasive
pads,.
micro-mesh
sanding
kit,
ran-
dom-orbit buffing
pads,
paste
wax.
Call 800/225-1153
to
request
a cat-
alog,
or
go
to
www.woodcraft,com.
.WoodFinishingSupplies.com:
Sandpaper,'
abrasive
pads,
ran-
dom-orbit
Abralon
pads,
felt rub-
bing block,
paste
wax. Log on
to
www.woodf i n ish i n
gsu ppl
ies.com.
EtNtsH TypE l-Fy-Fr-!l'g
ffRI91 9+IlI
SHEEN
GLOSS
Oil or oil/varnish
Polyurethane varnish,
spar varnish, water-
based finishes
Lacquer
and shellac
320-grit
weUdry
sandpaper,
using
finish
as lubricant
600-grit
weUdry sandpaper or
white abrasive
pad
on
random-
orbit sander
600-grit
weUdry
sandpaper
or
white abrasive
pad
on random-
orbit sander
Buff with white abrasive
pad
and
paste
wax
Buff with rubbing
compound,
or white abrasive
pad
and
paste
wax
Buff with
rubbing
compound,
or
white
abrasive
pad
and
paste
wax
Not
possible
Not
recommended
After reaching satin,sheen,
rub
with fine
polishing
compound
or 800- to
1,500-grit
sandpaper
81