help need opinions - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

normded · 09-19-2009, 01:22 PM

how should i finish a rocking horse i made for my niece? Polyurethane or what. also gloss satin or what i'm at a total loss i never made something this big before and probably never will again until i get a bandsaw this was totally cut with my dewalt 788. all suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Jerry

Woodworking Plus · 09-19-2009, 02:01 PM

Hi Jerry
That is a beautiful rocking horse. As far as the finish, I would go with a wipe on satin poly. Three coats would take alot of abuse and would bring out the color and grain very nicely.
Apply the first coat with a foam brush and wipe off the excess,let dry then apply the next 2 coats with a soft cotton cloth. Sand with 400 grit paper or 0000 steel wool then apply a coat of furniture polish. Will look good and last forever. This is what I do for all of my custom pieces.

wood-n-things · 09-19-2009, 02:04 PM

Very nicely done. She will love it...Mike already has great advice.

Ocelot · 09-19-2009, 02:46 PM

I always have the smoothest results with wipe on poly on large pieces like that. I'm not very good with brush on. Mike's instructions are good advice.

Ray

Sally · 09-19-2009, 03:15 PM

Nice rocking horse - she will love it.

RichZ · 09-19-2009, 03:17 PM

I agree but would add one more thought. In between coats of poly use 0000 steel wool. This takes down any imperfections, dust etc and prepares the surface for the next coat. Would do min of three coats, four would be better. Never rush finishing.... It the last thing peole will see!!!

Richie Z

normded · 09-19-2009, 03:34 PM

thanks for the advice only one question to show how brain dead i really am. what kind of furniture polish are you talking about something like pledge that you spray and wipe???? i'm not very good at the finishing part. i'll post pics when done. thanks again

Jerry

georgewoodie · 09-19-2009, 04:22 PM

normded:

Here is another vote for wipe on poly. I use the oil based poly as I understand that is the floor application. Therefore I expect it to be tougher. I then dilute the poly with a bit of petroleum mineral spirits [called varsol here] and I give as many coats as my patience will allow, often 5 to 8, particularly on hard wearing surfaces.

Woodie

Woodworking Plus · 09-19-2009, 05:44 PM

Hi Jerry
I use Pledge furniture polish for the final finish. apply and rub it in. Makes the poly slick as glass. But don't apply the polish until after the poly has cured for several days.

wood-n-things · 09-19-2009, 06:53 PM

I use liquid Gold I get at wally world. Makes it smooth as a babies cheek..either end of the baby. <grin>

09-19-2009, 02:01 PM	#2
Woodworking Plus Having fun gettin it done Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Midlothian, VA Posts: 200 Blog Entries: 3	Hi Jerry That is a beautiful rocking horse. As far as the finish, I would go with a wipe on satin poly. Three coats would take alot of abuse and would bring out the color and grain very nicely. Apply the first coat with a foam brush and wipe off the excess,let dry then apply the next 2 coats with a soft cotton cloth. Sand with 400 grit paper or 0000 steel wool then apply a coat of furniture polish. Will look good and last forever. This is what I do for all of my custom pieces. __________________ Mike "Why buy it if you can build it" www.midlothianwoodworks.com

09-19-2009, 02:04 PM	#3
wood-n-things Behave Yourself..I can't. Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Right here ---silly Posts: 4,478 Blog Entries: 1	Very nicely done. She will love it...Mike already has great advice. __________________ The Mike One of them anyway. Don't be so open-minded. Your brains will fall out!

09-19-2009, 02:46 PM	#4
Ocelot Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: NY Posts: 487	I always have the smoothest results with wipe on poly on large pieces like that. I'm not very good with brush on. Mike's instructions are good advice. Ray __________________ http://s13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...t=bdee7145.pbw

09-19-2009, 03:17 PM	#6
RichZ Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Kings Park NY Posts: 35	Finish I agree but would add one more thought. In between coats of poly use 0000 steel wool. This takes down any imperfections, dust etc and prepares the surface for the next coat. Would do min of three coats, four would be better. Never rush finishing.... It the last thing peole will see!!! Richie Z

09-19-2009, 05:44 PM	#9
Woodworking Plus Having fun gettin it done Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Midlothian, VA Posts: 200 Blog Entries: 3	Hi Jerry I use Pledge furniture polish for the final finish. apply and rub it in. Makes the poly slick as glass. But don't apply the polish until after the poly has cured for several days. __________________ Mike "Why buy it if you can build it" www.midlothianwoodworks.com

09-19-2009, 03:15 PM	#5
Sally Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Renton WA Posts: 1,027	Nice rocking horse - she will love it.

09-19-2009, 03:34 PM	#7
normded Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 266	thanks for the advice only one question to show how brain dead i really am. what kind of furniture polish are you talking about something like pledge that you spray and wipe???? i'm not very good at the finishing part. i'll post pics when done. thanks again Jerry

09-19-2009, 04:22 PM	#8
georgewoodie Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 123	normded: Here is another vote for wipe on poly. I use the oil based poly as I understand that is the floor application. Therefore I expect it to be tougher. I then dilute the poly with a bit of petroleum mineral spirits [called varsol here] and I give as many coats as my patience will allow, often 5 to 8, particularly on hard wearing surfaces. Woodie

09-19-2009, 06:53 PM	#10
wood-n-things Behave Yourself..I can't. Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Right here ---silly Posts: 4,478 Blog Entries: 1	I use liquid Gold I get at wally world. Makes it smooth as a babies cheek..either end of the baby. <grin> __________________ The Mike One of them anyway. Don't be so open-minded. Your brains will fall out! Last edited by wood-n-things; 09-19-2009 at 06:59 PM.

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