Good job Art. Thanks for the tips. You're always full of helpful information. That finish looks really great too.

Nice explanation. That has been my process for many years on oak. For my finish coat, I use 600 grit and lemon furniture polish for a very smooth finish.

I have found that there can be a significant difference in both the application process and the finish left by different brands of foam brushes. As is often the case, the cheaper versions are generally not as nice to work with.

Very practical advice.

Dang close to the same method I use. I usually go 80, 120, 180 or 220 then the first coat. The first coat is my grain raising too. Then make the first coat smooth with 320 or so, second coat, green scotch brite, 3rd coat and I'm done. Grits is grits, use what you like and a lot depends on the wood. Some are more forgiving than others. Good tips, particularly the not over working the poly part. I adhere to that one too.

@Wordsnwood

3 жыл бұрын

Good point about different species of wood being different. Now I'm doubly glad I specifically said "...on Cherry"!

So how does this compare as far as coloration to the Minwax oil-based polyurethane? It may not make much difference as cherry changes with time. I have done pretty much the same process with my poly finishes.

@Wordsnwood

2 жыл бұрын

Sorry, I have been using strictly WB poly for so long that I could not answer this fairly.

the grit of sandpaper isnt necessarily for glass smoothness...but if you use a random oribital w 80 grit you might still have some tornado lookin swirls. Those swirls are actually scratches...so sure, the finish itself might be glass but those swirls can make a table top or dresser top look bad. You dont use a cabinet scraper or 0000 steel wool to make sure those toenado scratches are gone? Its why I go to 320 then steel wool then hand sand with 320 or 400....not for smoothness but so all the blemishes are gone.

Thanks for the video, Art !! Finishing is probably my weak point (at least I feel it is) in woodworking. I always watch finishing videos trying to learn something or improve my techniques. It always "peeves" me when a project is built that I'm interested in and the woodworker doesn't show or mention anything about finishing the project. I feel the project isn't "finished" until it is "finished" (aka finish has been applied), if you know what I mean. lol

How do you finish the finish. Is the last coat it or do you buff it somehow to get rid of that little bit of a gritty feel the poly can leave?

@Wordsnwood

3 жыл бұрын

Sometimes I'll dribble on a bit of water and then buff with a 3m pad (equivalent to #0000 steel wool, but synthetic)

A lot of good information from experience packed into a single video.

In was curious about sheen. What are your recommendations on this? The product you recommend is semi gloss. Have you used satin or matte? Just curious about your recommendations

@Wordsnwood

Жыл бұрын

I will flip between satin and sem-gloss usually. Not sure I've ever gone Matte. I figure you can always scuff down a glossier finish with some 3M type pads if you find it too shiny.

I want to paint MDF and I want to use these products - Minwax Lacquer Sanding Sealer and over to give with Varnish Minwax Fast-Drying Polyurethane + pigment. are these products compatible with each other?

@Wordsnwood

Жыл бұрын

Sorry, no idea. You'll have to check with minwax. (but really, I would think so)

It would be interesting to see the identical project with a sanding vs. card scraper time and quality comparison. ... Art Fahie, Maine

@Wordsnwood

3 жыл бұрын

I've never done much with a card scraper, so it'd have to be someone else. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯.

Hi Art! I have pre-hung solid Brazzilian cherry doors in my house. How do you poly those? Thanks!

@Wordsnwood

3 жыл бұрын

Refinishing is a very different thing from Finishing. Are you sanding and stripping back to bare wood? Even then I might still lay down some shellac first to be sure I don't have trouble with the finish sticking. If you KNOW the doors were finished with poly, then you can likely get away with scuff sanding and then applying more.

@ianscianablo8507

3 жыл бұрын

@@Wordsnwood No. These are solid cherry raised panel doors that are pre-hung. I was told they just need poly.

@Wordsnwood

3 жыл бұрын

@@ianscianablo8507 Then I'd lay it flat and finish one side, let dry, flip and repeat. I don't have any personal experience with Brazilian Cherry, so no idea about it's colouration.

@ianscianablo8507

3 жыл бұрын

@@Wordsnwood Lay it flat on what? My carpenter wants to install the door first, then poly it. Any thoughts? Thank you Art!!

@Wordsnwood

3 жыл бұрын

@@ianscianablo8507 I thought this was for yourself to do... if you have a skilled carpenter on site then I would follow their advice.

Does the Cherry still darken with that finish over time?

@Wordsnwood

3 жыл бұрын

yes

@willerwin3201

2 жыл бұрын

Yes, but it’s slower. If you leave your shaped and sanded cherry creation to air for a month or two (especially if you give it some sunlight), it will darken much faster than if you put poly on right away.

Hahaha, your cabinet in the back has a face.

Those brushes don't last very long.

@philb2056

3 жыл бұрын

They are disposable, which leads to more plastic-based waste. It's a throw-away consumer society.

@Wordsnwood

3 жыл бұрын

I've had to make my peace with it, as I just seem to do better with foam brushes than bristle with poly.

@eggsngritstn

3 жыл бұрын

@@Wordsnwood Agreed. Additionally, that's a pretty high fashion drop cloth for a woodworking Canadian.

@Wordsnwood

3 жыл бұрын

@@eggsngritstn mostly old bedsheets ..

@dukecarey6949

3 жыл бұрын

I keep a box of sandwich baggies in the shop. After each coat the foam brush gets sealed in the baggie - without cleaning the brush - and it stays fresh and ready for re-use even after 3-4 days. If you use the brush on a daily or every other day schedule, it'll last for quite a while. Sticking to this procedure has allowed me to use one brush for a cabinet project that stretched out over 10 days. I re-use the same baggie for several projects, too

sorry but,,,, yawn

@mskwared11

3 жыл бұрын

Ah, the prerequisite jerk comment....