Hi Guys

I am in the final stages of finishing a large jeewelry box for my wife. The finish is hand rubbed high gloss poly. I went in my shop this afternoon and found a great gloss and almmost smooth surface. If I hand rub this out with 0000 steelwool and wax will it correct what seems to be small dust particles in the finish. I was planning on waxing it ( paste wax ) anyway. I have not seen this problem, normally I finish my work in my gameroom, but since this is a surprise I had to keep it in the shop. Yes the shop was thouroughly (sp) cleaned before but you know how dust particles hide. I would be ever so grateful for any and all information on this.

Best Wihes

Wayne

 

I have never had good luck rubbing poly.  If the dust particles are very deep, you may have to scrap the poly to smooth it.  Hopefully, one of the more experienced finish guys will be along soon.

I recently refinished an exotic wood business card holder and used super-fine sandpaper grits over 3 coats of poly (800, 1200, and 1500 grit), then 3M rubbing compound and 3M Shine Restorer after that. I discovered you can't skip grits or you have to go back and start from a rougher grit again.

 

You can try those scouring/ buffing pads in different grits.  I usually get them at Rockler to restore my machine surfaces (with a grout float).

If you want the smooth surface, use a block with some wet/dry paper and go over the surface, then a thinned out final coat should do.

 

Then the wax and buff. 

Thanks evryone for you suggrstions. I ended up just rubbing it out with paste wax and 0000 steel wool and worked out fine. I wil buff it oput in the am and post some pics tomorrow. Thanks again for the advice and suggestions.

Best Wishes

Wyne

 

Looking forward to the pics Wayne!

I have also used a brown paper bag saturated with thinner. I picked that tip up from Steve Mickley owner of Hardwood Lumber and More.

It was very successful. It should also be noted that in order to properly rub out a finish, the finish should thoroughly harden. This can take weeks at times depending on the finish. If you don't wait, you'll end up with a cloudy mess. I found this out the hard way!

The steel wool and paste wax worked out great. Thankfully the dust was all surface. I'll be sending up pics soon so keep an eye out. Gave it to the wife today, she had tears in her eyes. But laughed when she found the chocolate in one of the drawers.

Thanks Again

Best Wishes

Wayne

 

Awesome Wayne! I love it when our wives get emotional over our woodworks.

But I could do without them getting emotional over the tool purchases!

LOL ... mine just looks at me and says you better not. But then I ask her if she wants this or that built? Honestly, she is a great gal. 33 years and counting. I never spend what I don't have to spend but when I get the opportunity and the extra is there. I don't get much greif at all.

 

She maybe thinking this is a jewelry box and you are going to fill it with some nice pieces she don't have, that aren't chocolate.

Please John, don"t give her any extra ideas. Over the year I have bought her plenty of nice things to go in it. At this point I am not looking to adding to it anymore. She has more then she can wear. So let's keep this between us. LOL

Best Wishes

Wayne

 

Sorry, I was whispering. Maybe she didn't hear me.

 

JM


Wayne Mahler said:

Please John, don"t give her any extra ideas. Over the year I have bought her plenty of nice things to go in it. At this point I am not looking to adding to it anymore. She has more then she can wear. So let's keep this between us. LOL

Best Wishes

Wayne

 

Please visit my recent blog, "Finishing the Amana Way."  You will never have to deal with "dust nibs" again.

Larry

And now by newest blog, which deals directly with rubbing out poly with 0000 steel wool and TreWax..

Larry

Hit it with a piece of brown grocery bag then see if it's smooth enough.

 

If it is, go ahead and wax it.

 

If not, go to the lightest grit you have and knock it down.  then wax.

Nibs just happen.

 

As Dragon mentioned earlier. To level a finish wet sand with a block and 600 wet/dry paper. I find steel wool just can't cut through the nibs and actually ride over the nibs.

 

Another method, take a razor blade over a screwdriver shaft to roll a burr (card scraper fashion) Go around either end of the razor blade with blue painters tape once, or better, clear shipping tape.  This will elevate the blade off the surface the thickness of the blue painters tape or clear tape. Now you can scrape with your razor blade the nibs down and then do a quick block sand to level.

 

Ace-

The project is finished and perfectly smoothed. I hit it with a piece of 1000 then 0000 steel wool and paste wax. You can the finished project on my page in the photos. The wife had tears in her eyes when she seen it. Made me feel just plain super and as proud as a peacock.

Thanks for the info guys.

Best WIshes

Wayne