I've been following the other post about wipe on finishes and need to know if I'm doing this right.

I have two coats on now, the last one 16 hours ago. Looking good but I can feel dust nibs. Is it too early to lightly sand them down with a sanding block and recoat or should I wait another day to do it?

Thanks to all. This is a very good forum and getting better all the time.

Harry

When a finish is ready to sand it will powder on you. If your paper is loading up, your finish is not ready.

That's a good way to tell.

Thanks

 

Mike Frank said:

When a finish is ready to sand it will powder on you. If your paper is loading up, your finish is not ready.

Your welcome......Just go easy and stay away from the edges

Good morning Harry,

I finish by hand on all of my products and the methods I use are as follows;

Sand the project down to 150 all over and down to 220 on exposed edges of the grain. Then vacuum all and any dust before applying the first coat. when applying it put it on like you are waxing a car and over lap continuously through out the project.

Allow the first coat to dry 24 hours then fold a piece of 220 that is 1/4 sheet and sand lightly over the entire project. Vac and apply the second coat much in the same manner as the first coat. Allow it to dry over night and sand again with the 220, vac and apply the third coat. After this application you do not need to sand any more but instead take a grocery sack (Paper) and wad it all up and buff with it and your dust nibs will disappear. I use Minwax Tung Oil consistently with great success.

Here is a sample on two of my pieces;

 

Now for the second one;

Hi Ralph,

I remember reading another of your posts about the paper bag. I'll be putting on the 3rd coat in a few days and might give that a try. You mentioned tung oil. Will it work on the wipe on poly also?
Ralph Allen Jones said:

Good morning Harry,

I finish by hand on all of my products and the methods I use are as follows;

Sand the project down to 150 all over and down to 220 on exposed edges of the grain. Then vacuum all and any dust before applying the first coat. when applying it put it on like you are waxing a car and over lap continuously through out the project.

Allow the first coat to dry 24 hours then fold a piece of 220 that is 1/4 sheet and sand lightly over the entire project. Vac and apply the second coat much in the same manner as the first coat. Allow it to dry over night and sand again with the 220, vac and apply the third coat. After this application you do not need to sand any more but instead take a grocery sack (Paper) and wad it all up and buff with it and your dust nibs will disappear. I use Minwax Tung Oil consistently with great success.

Here is a sample on two of my pieces;

 

Hello Harry,

Yes it will work on most any finish except paint.

 

Not sure how you have mixed your poly, thin it it will set up faster, less dusters. Use a softer sponge under your sanding block, 220 likely.

Ralph's method is very simular to the one I would suggest.

 

Hey Greg, have you ever tried using a Hard sponge instead of a softer one?

 

It'll give you a flatter finish and allow you to knock down high spots faster.

 

Especially good for Lacquer finishes and shellac.

greg fee said:

Not sure how you have mixed your poly, thin it it will set up faster, less dusters. Use a softer sponge under your sanding block, 220 likely.