Finishing

[Chase]

This post if for everyone. However I would really like JohnB (I call him Aussie Dude) to weigh in on this.

Aussie Dude, here in the colonies we have a product called Deft. It is a lacquer based finish that I use, almost exclusively. Caution: Use it in a well ventelated place.

As an aside, I like water based finishes, but they raise the grain so much I only use them on stuff that where it doesn’t make any difference. I even bought a non-grain raising, water based, sanding sealer. Didn’t work.

For intarsia I finish each piece with increasing grades of sanding sleeves on my pneumatic drums and finally with 320 grit on my sand-o-flex.

I then dip each piece in Deft sanding sealer and dry them on a nail rack I made. Attch4 (actually its carpet tacks not nails) Next I use synthetic steel wool mops I make myself. In the first two attachments you can see them in three grits. I make them by cutting strips of synthetic steel wool (don’t use the green stuff as it will leave green marks on your wood) and mounting the strips on the mandrels. I use them in an old drill (this one is a 2 speed B&D of late 40s or early 50s vintage that was my Dad’s). I use these mops to knock off the grain that is raised from the sanding sealer. Next I sand off the bottoms on a belt sander so they accept the glue better.

The project is assembled paying strict attention not to let the glue get squeezed out around the pieces. Glue doesn’t accept the lacquer well.

For a final finishing I spray the first coat as semi gloss or gloss Deft and let it dry well. Subsequent (see even us W Va hillbillys know some multi-syllable words) coats are satin Deft, usually about 3 or 4 more coats. I use the spral cans, but if you have a spray gun that should work also.

The finished product is at attachment 3. It’s a JGR pattern.

Hope all of this makes sense.

Comments?

Submitted by Chase




Attch1.jpg

Attch2.jpg

Attch3.jpg

Attch4.jpg

[earlinjax]

I'm going to have to try that synthetic mop. Beats sanding or rubbing by hand.

And, OMG, how long did it take to glue all those tacks on the board. Fortunately, I have an air nailer so just bumped like crazy with the board laying on a piece of Styrofoam. Mine isn't in such neat rows though.

Earl

[JohnB]

Originally Posted by Chase

This post if for everyone. However I would really like JohnB (I call him Aussie Dude) to weigh in on this.

Aussie Dude is in the house

Aussie Dude, here in the colonies we have a product called Deft. It is a lacquer based finish that I use, almost exclusively. Caution: Use it in a well ventelated place.

Well, at long last I know what you blokes on the other side of the ditch are talking about.

As an aside, I like water based finishes, but they raise the grain so much I only use them "on stuff that where it doesn’t make any difference. I even bought a non-grain raising, water based, sanding sealer. Didn’t work.

I've found the same problem with water based clears. After the first and possibly second coat you have to be quite savage with the paper to remove the bloom. One product that I found works is a locally made timber floor sealer and finish. It is water based and comes with a catalyst that can be added that increases the hardness. I did all my wooden floors with it, and used some left over on some projects. It is extremely expensive though

For intarsia I finish each piece with increasing grades of sanding sleeves on my pneumatic drums and finally with 320 grit on my sand-o-flex.

I then dip each piece in Deft sanding sealer and dry them on a nail rack I made. Attch4 (actually its carpet tacks not nails) Next I use synthetic steel wool mops I make myself. (Snip) I make them by cutting strips of synthetic steel wool (don’t use the green stuff as it will leave green marks on your wood) and mounting the strips on the mandrels. I use them in an old drill (this one is a 2 speed B&D of late 40s or early 50s vintage that was my Dad’s). I use these mops to knock off the grain that is raised from the sanding sealer. Next I sand off the bottoms on a belt sander so they accept the glue better.

I like the synthetic steel wool mop idea, and concur with green stuff DAMHIKT Sometimes even Aussies know much more better English
My Dad has an almost, if not identical drill, amazing how quality can collapse.
I have only used Sanding Sealer a few times and found it just to be to much trouble for a little return. eg. having to clean guns and stock another product etc. I think it's a case of "horses for courses"

The project is assembled paying strict attention not to let the glue get squeezed out around the pieces. Glue doesn’t accept the lacquer well.

For a final finishing I spray the first coat as semi gloss or gloss Deft and let it dry well. Subsequent (see even us W Va hillbillys know some multi-syllable words) coats are satin Deft, usually about 3 or 4 more coats. I use the spral cans, but if you have a spray gun that should work also.

By the look of the pictured piece, you have found a finishing style that works for you and have nailed it mate.

That's nice.

[JohnB]

Originally Posted by earlinjax

And, OMG, how long did it take to glue all those tacks on the board. Fortunately, I have an air nailer so just bumped like crazy with the board laying on a piece of Styrofoam. Mine isn't in such neat rows though.
Earl

G'day Earl,
I did exactly the same thing as you. Not pretty but it works

[Chase]

Originally Posted by earlinjax

I'm going to have to try that synthetic mop. Beats sanding or rubbing by hand.

And, OMG, how long did it take to glue all those tacks on the board. Fortunately, I have an air nailer so just bumped like crazy with the board laying on a piece of Styrofoam. Mine isn't in such neat rows though.

Earl

You USAF guys are so smart. Of course you have all the $$ to have air nailers and such. LOL
Actually, I never thought of that. Pretty neat idea. I have two air nailers, one finish nailer and one narrow crown. I'm going to try it. Of course we Army folks will have straight rows for our nails. ROTFL

Chase