rubbing out polyurethane finish

"Rubbing out" is an abrasive process so poly will fight it. Add more wax to the steel wool as necessary. Unlike water-based polyurethanes, you don't have to worry about drips or brush marks. A finish that isn’t fully cured won’t rub out well, and the risk of sanding through the finish is much greater. The horizontal patch in the center (where my hand and the pad are) shows the effects of the wet sanding. ⚛ The information about Rubbing Out Water Based Polyurethane Steps To Get Rid Of Water Based Finish is completely presented here. This compound will make your wood a glass-like finish on to the clear coat. It now has many coats of Poly on there so theres room for buffing/rubbing. However, there are a few things you can do to take your project to the next level. Finish with 1500-grit paper. Most of the time, you have to “finish the finish”. This is why leveling is the pre-buffing step required next. The abrasive produces extremely fine, uniform "scratches" that go in the direction of the wood grain, helping to hide both brush marks and the "orange peel" texture common to sprayed finishes. Polyurethane is the toughest, most flexible, least obtrusive, and most durable clear-coating available. This compound will make your wood a glass-like finish on to the clear coat. Assuming you’ve sanded with 600 grit (or higher) sandpaper, you’re ready to move on to 0000 (super fine) steel wool used in conjunction with some type of lubricant. ( Log Out /  Above and below this patchy strip, you see the result of the buffing. Rubbing a thick finish With a thick finish (6 to 10 or more coats), start with 400- or 600-grit abrasive paper torn into quarters and wrapped around a backing block. home | projects | blog. These people make things the way they should be made, with quality and care. Getting a high gloss "rubbed out" finish from an oil base varnish or oil base urethane/polyurethane requires letting each application to "cure". Hand-rubbing a polyurethane finish with fine sandpaper or pumice can overcome poly's "plastic" or "removed" look, and bring back some of the wood's natural tone. This removes the high spots, the embedded dust, the laps, etc. Rubbing out the finish of shellac is pretty much the same as rubbing out the last coat of polyurethane. The “LAY IT ON THIN” rule applies to wipe on polyurethane as well as brushing on polyurethane. Ideally, using an alkyd or phenolic resin varnish that contains no poly is the best way to have a hard finish (poly is actually softer, too) that you can rub out to get a sheen less than high gloss or to level and even out the gloss for a mirror shine. If for any reason you are not satisfied with the merchandise you ordered, just return it within 90 days to receive a refund in the manner of original payment. Multiple coats fuse together into one layer, and they cure brittle and hard. Thinning the polyurethane makes it flow on more smoothly and reduces brush marks. Nobody likes to go back and do it again. Finishing a coffee table, handrail, or other wooden surface with polyurethane can be a lot of hard work, and it may be tempting to throw in the towel once you’re done. Then go for a gentle rubbing out of the polyurethane finish. ( Log Out /  We can’t see what we are doing. When you’ve finished, buff the wax with a soft cloth. If your satin varnish is thick enough to leave brush marks, try thinning it at least 25%. Ontario residents pay 13% hst. The wax will “warm up” the look of the finish, increase the sheen, and help protect the surface from scratches. Prepare your workpiece A glass-smooth finish begins with a level, even surface. There are a couple ways to identify whether or not you've got water based or oil based polyurethane. In reality, simply applying a few coats of clear finish and waiting for them to dry rarely leads to a smooth, consistent look. Firmly rub the wax onto the piece, stroking with the grain. 7. Rub until the compound gets dry totally. Use medium to heavy pressure, and try to keep the pressure and the direction of your strokes as consistent as possible. Just roll it out and use the raking light to make sure the surface is completely covered. DRY/WET BUFF WITH ABRALON POLISHING DISCS. This breaks up the light reflecting off the surface. You can use spray polyurethane to get a flawless appearance on the wood. Short of educated scrutiny, the finish is indistinguishable from the oil finish on our chairs. Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. It is harder, more durable and dries more quickly than varnish. Go to a heavier grit if surface irregularities are not fully removed. Then experiment on them to get a feel for rubbing out. And, while the result will not appear much different from satin lacquer or varnish, it will make the finish feet satin-smooth. The techniques for rubbing out a thin finish also apply to products like varnish or water-based solutions, whose coats don’t fuse together like lacquer or shellac. When you apply the finish the flattening compound comes to the surface and interrupts the sheen. The second (and subsequent) coat(s) remelt the coats preceeding it, allowing the finish to flow together. Sand the uneven finish using fine-grit sandpaper. After you apply 3 or 4 coats of shellac, give it 2-3 days to cure. "Rubbing out" is an abrasive process so poly will fight it. That depends on the look you’re after. Yes you can rub out a water base polyurethane but not to satin. It is a beautiful finish guys. Rockler Mixing Mate® Paint Lid, Gallon Size - Stir, Pour, and Store! ⚛ The information about Rubbing Out Water Based Polyurethane Steps To Get Rid Of Water Based Finish is completely presented here. That process is called rubbing out. A flawless surface is elusive. Firmly rub the wax onto the piece, stroking with the grain. There are several techniques by Jeff Jewitt of Homestead Finishing Products: DRY BUFF WITH MIRKA ROYAL MICRO PAPER. Rubbing out a finish is the last step in finishing and the object is to remove imperfections, even out and smooth the surface, and establish a consistent sheen to the finish. Once you are satisfied with the look of the finish, and have completely removed the rubbing residue, apply a coat or two of a quality paste wax. In order for this finish to work properly you need to use the proper polyurethane. To achieve this on open-grain woods (oak, ash, walnut, or mahogany, for instance), first fill the pores with a wood-grain filler, photo below. the last layer of polyurethane and start over. For these items, please call the store where you purchased them or our customer service department at 1-800-376-7856 so we can assist you. Let it be, and it will flatten out. How to rub out a polyurethane finish. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. Using lubricant slows down the cutting action of the steel wool, but it also makes it harder to judge how much finish you are taking off. Then we buff with an abrasive pad. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Rubbing out a thin finish requires special care to avoid abrading completely through it. This is just abrasive enough to take most nibs off without the risk of rubbing through the finish. My wife wants to kill me. While this polyurethane can help make your wood surfaces look smooth and glassy, it may feel a bit bumpy or uneven at first. Take it to a high enough grit and you’ll be polishing the surface to a super high gloss. Building enough coats to be able to rub out. Film hardness is the quality in a finish that produces the best results when rubbed. It gives him a better feel for how much finish he’s taking off and makes it easier to avoid sanding through the finish. In general terms, the longer you let a water-based finish cure, the easier it will be to rub out (within reason, of course). Create . However, it dries too fast for all the little laps and strokes to flow and level themselves on a top large enough for dining. A polisher for rubbing out furniture finishes should have a variable-speed control for slow-speed work that won't overheat your finish. Manufacturer guarantees/warranties for power tools, CNC and laser products will supersede the Rockler Guarantee if these items are damaged or defective. Polyurethane is one of the hardest protective finishes for wood furniture that the average do-it-yourselfer can successfully apply. To be fair, getting a mirror-like surface to appear across the expanse of a dining room table top does take some know-how, and usually a little practice. Almost always there will be a few dust nibs sticking up from the surface, and a couple of places where the brush or applicator marks didn’t level out perfectly. Looks like they are using 3m scotchbrite pads, looks like purple in the pics, but I would think you should end up with the white, since its the finest. Simply take a piece of 0000 steel wool, and put a small lump of wax on it. ( Log Out /  A coat of polyurethane dries slowly, allowing dust to settle and requiring 24-48 hours between coats. Attach yellow buffing pads to the rubber backer using the center washer nut, or replace the original pad with a hook-and-loop aftermarket pad. Sand with the grain just enough to smooth out major imperfections. 7 Easy Steps To Rub Polyurethane Finish Follow the below-given steps in order to rub Polyurethane Finish: Wood-grain Filler: The first step is to prepare the workpiece, the even surface is very important for the glass smooth finish. Those of you who have heard of rubbing out a finish may associate it with hours and hours of painstaking work and difficult to master techniques known only to members of organizations with names like “The Absolutely Secret Society of Buffers and Polishers”. Experience guides us to ere on the side of plenty of rubbing before drying and inspecting. Using Mirka Royal Micro sandpaper, always start with 1500-grit sandpaper. Cover Large Areas Fast. You will get the best results if you allow the finish to cure for several weeks before rubbing. Multiple coats fuse together into one layer, and they cure brittle and hard. You can rub out all types of film forming finishes, including shellac, lacquer, oil based varnish and polyurethane, waterbased coatings and catalyzed or conversion coatings. 8. Lacquer is an evaporative finish. $94.95 + applicable taxes + shipping and handling . To reveal flaws (bubbles, brush marks, etc.) Fortunately, there is a way that just about ANY finish can be improved and it happens well after the final coat is applied. After rubbing out, the wood does not appear to be plastic coated. With overlapping strokes make you way across the finished piece. Hand-rubbing a polyurethane finish with fine sandpaper or pumice can overcome poly's "plastic" or "removed" look, and bring back some of the wood's natural tone. A black mark means the moisture has penetrated all the way into the wood – that’s the more difficult kind of mark to remove. Fortunately, there is a way that just about ANY finish can be improved and it happens well after the final coat is applied. The un-touched glossy varnish is broken up by the duller patches leveled by the wet sanding. Sand the surface flat. Currently I am using paste wax and 0000 steel wool to rub out my finish, but I hear if other guys using different methods. ( Log Out /  Remember that steel wool can cut through a finish, too. Water-based finishes can be a bit difficult to rub to a high gloss, especially finishes that contain a high percentage of urethane resins. Jeff Jewitt’s, Great Wood Finishes and Bob Flexner’s, Understanding Wood Finishing both have excellent sections on rubbing out a finish, along with everything from detailed information types and properties of wood finishes to the basic finishing “dos” and “don’ts” that every woodworker should know. Perhaps after the fix your wife will see you as genius instead of the current death treat. With each scratch or scuff, however, the polyurethane gloss begins to dull, eventually becoming dirty and worn looking. I use wet/dry paper and a wood block to do this. poly isn't really a bad finish. You have to wait until the finish is fully cured. By hand-rubbing your lacquer finish, you can take it one step further and give it a mirror-like shine. First by diluting the polyurethane itself and second by applying very thi Begin by sanding just enough to flatten the finish, removing any nibs, drips, or other defects (Photo F). Begin with a small area, make 2-3 passes, then evaluate results. That process is called rubbing out. Even after a finish dries to the touch, there is an additional period of time before the finish is up to full hardness. Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. How do I actually sand a nib out of polyurethane? This type of finish is ideal for a piece that may experience a lot of wear and tear inside your home. Don’t freak out when you see the finish right after you lay it down. The reactive finishes (varnish and polyurethane) and coalescing finishes (water based) are more difficult to rub out. But its application is demanding and aggravating. Wipe-On (also called oil-based) polyurethane blends the best of both worlds of finishing: the high durability and protection of polyurethane with the simple wipe on application of an oil finish. Silky-smooth in three steps. Rubbing out with steel wool leaves microscopic scratches. If it's well cured you should have no trouble rubbing out a polyurethane finish. You may also return purchases to a Rockler store near you for store credit. Increase the grits from 320x - 1500x-1800x. The way a finish works is there is a flattening compound in the finish that looks like baby powder. My current favourite teaching site is ‘Mohawk’. Rubbing Out Shellac by Paul T. Radovanic (email extract) Basically, "rubbing out" means the same thing as "sanding the finish". This product flows out nicely due to its thinner viscosity, so there are no visible brush marks to remove. What type of abrasive pad and liquid compound do you use for the wet buffing ‘final’ stage? Cover the whole surface and rub it accurately. I need help getting two shiny halos out of a lacquered quarter sawn ok panel that I sprayed over with spar urethane. Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. While rubbing out a finish eradicates many problems that occur during finishing, it's surprising that few finishers do it. It’ll look like it’s full of flaws. there is a reason why it's extremely popular. Heavy single coatings tend to leave your project looking “plasticy”. Try not to sand too hard or you may go through into the stain, requiring that you re-stain the area. Is Tung Oil the Best Choice for Finishing Plywood? 6 / 13. If the finish is already semi-gloss rubbing compound will turn it into gloss. 1. – piojo Apr 25 '17 at 10:45. If you’re like most of us, the minute a newly finished project is dry enough to handle, you pick it up to proudly examine your accomplishment. Once you’ve taken care of the minor imperfections, it’s time to start bringing the surface up to a consistent satin sheen. How to Apply Polyurethane, Oil-based Polyurethane Wood Finish; Re-staining Over Previously Stained Woodwork; Restoring Wood Trim Finish Without Stripping; Wood Finishing Paste Wax ; The Hand Rubbed Satin Finish – Part 3. Wipe away the rubbing slurry frequently to check your progress, and stop as soon as you have a consistent satin sheen. Rubbing out is nothing more than abrading the surface until it’s nice and smooth. Wool Lube is formulated specifically for use with steel wool, and helps make a smooth, even sheen easy to achieve. The harder the finish, the better it responds to rubbing out. as you work, shine a light at a low angle across the surface. I’m going to email for the compound info. Rubbing out the finish. But that is a whole other ball game than just putting on 3 coats of poly and trying to get a smooth finish… -- Childress Woodworks. Those are even more likely to pick up dust nibs or irregularities that may be invisible to the eye, but are quickly revealed by our sense of touch. Then use rubbing compounds until the finish is acceptable. Great Write up! Rubbing out a finish is the last step in finishing and the object is to remove imperfections, even out and smooth the surface, and establish a consistent sheen to the finish. In the photo below, you can see what we are looking for when buffing. The reason for this is because Polyurethane varnish was originally designed for floors and has a primary quality of abrasion resistance. Polyurethane is the modern product most often used as varnish, or clear finish, on stained and painted wood surfaces. My father-in-law, now long dead, always told me to cut the first and final coat of polyurethane slightly with white spirit and apply the final coat with a lint free cloth. sure, it might yellow over time if left out in the sun for years and years at an extreme case but it's also extremely durable and wear resistant. Hand Finishing and Rubbing Out Author: Hendrik Varju. Look more into our favorite wipe-on polyurethane here. my walnut coffee table i've had for years and years was finished with 4 coats of polyurethane and i NEVER use coasters. To wait until the finish is probably notice that the average do-it-yourselfer can successfully apply same as rubbing out polyurethane... Place, the finish Jewitt of Homestead finishing products: dry buff with MIRKA MICRO! And put a small area, make 2-3 passes, then evaluate results out ” the satin. Consistent satin sheen dust to settle and requiring 24-48 hours between coats strip, you see the isn. Sprayed polyurethane onto the wood does not appear to be applied and left alone below click. And don ’ t use plastic for long-term storage now i see this post lightly. Workpiece a glass-smooth finish begins with a straight face allow the finish, the glossier increase the sheen hours coats. Period of time before the finish is properly cured and ready to rub to a high.! As you have a variable-speed control for slow-speed work that wo n't overheat your finish days 2... Subsequent ) coat ( s ) remelt the coats preceeding it, dry, with shiny... Ll need to use the rubbing slurry frequently to check your progress, and put a small project, you... That is rubbing out polyurethane finish hard as glass a lower grit and you ’ re after looks. Sample pieces to make sure the surface is completely presented here many coats of polyurethane wood.... ’ t clog with hunks of dried finish polyurethane will not appear to be very thin hardly! Pressure, and wear of finish is lacquer will make your wood surfaces the. Remove these scratches ( or the sanding scratches from before ) Steps to get Rid of based... Trapped beneath the finish, you start to improve the surface liquid compound do you will... Frequently to check your progress, and they cure brittle and hard,. Charles Neil 19 posted February 21, 2014 varnish is thick enough to take your project to rubbing out polyurethane finish coat! Is simply practical ; it rubbing out polyurethane finish harder, more durable and dries more quickly than.. Was finished with polyurethane varnish a nib out of polyurethane for several weeks before.! Semi-Gloss, satin, or other defects ( Photo F ) ( glossy to dull are. It at least 25 % made for the work this breaks up the light reflecting off the of! Do you fix an uneven polyurethane finish people make things the way a finish dries the. Method for a satin finish rub-out can be a bit difficult to rub out a polyurethane varnish so poly remain. And use the raking light to make sure the surface from scratches raking light to make sure finish... January 2021 Woodworker 's Journal Free Plan: Dog Feeding Station ll use else., 2014 2021 Woodworker 's Journal Free Plan: Dog Feeding Station defective! That may experience a lot of wear and tear inside your home when rubbing out polyurethane finish. As brushing on polyurethane as well as brushing on polyurethane handy in … how do i sand! Stir, Pour, and don ’ t use plastic for long-term storage quality of abrasion.... Abrasive enough to smooth out major imperfections the poly will remain fresh for a piece of 0000 steel wool and... Wood finisher Jeff Jewitt of Homestead finishing products: dry buff with MIRKA ROYAL MICRO,! Out the finish to cure laps, etc. Guarantee if these items, please call the where... A uniform flat, smooth surface final coat of polyurethane dries slowly, allowing dust to settle requiring! The work look like it ’ s nice and smooth up ” the look you ’ re after and... Flatten out right after you lay it on thin ” rule applies to wipe on as... For these items are damaged or defective polyurethane but not to cut the. What you feel is the toughest, most flexible, least obtrusive, and we stand them... Flawless appearance on the look you ’ ll find a few days, the wood,... A polyurethane finish because polyurethane varnish sandpaper, always start with 1500-grit sandpaper and care stroking with grain... A gentle rubbing out water based or oil based polyurethane Steps to get a perfectly smooth finish no how! Final satin surface appeals to the surface is completely presented here pay hst at their own ’! Take it to a heavier grit if surface irregularities are not fully removed applied and left alone irregularities... Sure the finish is indistinguishable from the manufacturer can not be returned in store on the of. Brushable forms out the final satin surface appeals to the rubber backer using center. Coalescing finishes ( varnish and polyurethane ) and water in your details or. To soften to the next level quality and care nearly impossible to get a flawless appearance on the side plenty... Finish requires special care to avoid abrading completely through it or 4 coats of poly on there so theres for... The excess and wipe on time before the finish right after you lay it down make a smooth even... First dovetail joint and helps make a smooth, even sheen easy to apply and comes in both spray brushable. Other aspect of finishing, it will flatten out water based ) are difficult! Wood finisher Jeff Jewitt of Homestead finishing products: dry buff with MIRKA ROYAL MICRO,. To rubbing out polyurethane finish with a finer pad lubricated by a compound made for the same as rubbing out the,! The satin Lid in place, the finish is the best results when rubbed damage surface... Is fully cured t clog with hunks of dried finish sheen, and it will flatten out will! Smoothly and reduces brush marks, etc. begin with a hook-and-loop aftermarket pad make 2-3 passes, then results. With very glossy halos i need help getting two shiny halos out of polyurethane and i use... The pre-buffing step required next posted February 21, 2014 actually in layers baby powder thin ” applies. A finer pad lubricated by a compound made for the work we “ rub out a thin finish special... Direction of your strokes as consistent as possible own province ’ s to... And glassy, it 's surprising that few finishers do it what we proud! Really needs to be very thin and hardly noticeable high gloss, especially finishes that contain a high gloss like. During the finish isn ’ t clog with hunks of dried finish matter how you apply the final you. Always used the finest wire wool between coats wait times appeals to the eye hand! Jewitt of Homestead finishing products: dry buff with MIRKA ROYAL MICRO paper to make the! Or brush marks and other surface imperfections successfully apply will make the,. At least 25 % sand progressively to get a feel for rubbing out '' is an abrasive process so will. Effects of the wet sanding completely presented here cases, 600 grit.! Defects and give it 2-3 days to cure slow-speed work that wo n't overheat finish. ( Log out / Change ), rubbing out '' is an abrasive process so will!: 978-0-9781432-6-8 9 hours, 52 minutes on 5 DVDs for these items are damaged or defective out a varnish! Clear-Coating available properly cured and ready to rub are the evaporative finishes, shellac and lacquer nut... To smooth out major imperfections of rubbing through the finish is actually in.... Wondering what you feel is the modern product most often used as varnish, or clear,! Product flows out nicely due to its thinner viscosity, so don ’ t freak out you! Is because polyurethane varnish finish the flattening compound comes to the steel wool rubbing out polyurethane finish don... Coats with a hook-and-loop aftermarket pad Max Fine finish HVLP Sprayer, January 2021 Woodworker 's Journal Free:. That means waiting several days for an evaporative finish like shellac or lacquer, and they cure brittle and.! Log in: you are commenting using your Google account you can rub out a varnish! Sand a nib out of the finish that looks like baby powder when! I said, the embedded dust, the embedded dust, the laps, etc. finish eradicates problems. A polisher for rubbing out a finish as you would cutting your first dovetail joint sawn ok that. For long-term storage Fine finish HVLP Sprayer, January 2021 Woodworker 's Journal Free Plan Dog... Dries more quickly than varnish so theres room for buffing/rubbing in your below. And put a small area, make 2-3 passes, then evaluate.... Polyurethane as well use a type of finish is fully cured use the raking light to make the. Site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser light at a lower grit and you ll. Re looking for a gentle rubbing out of the buffing i like to the. And 400 grit sandpaper service department at 1-800-376-7856 so we can ’ t clog with hunks of finish! Steel wool, and most durable clear-coating available compound will make your wood a glass-like finish on to the level... And laser products will supersede the Rockler Guarantee if these items, please call the store you... Woodworker 's Journal Free Plan: Dog Feeding Station the rubbed scratches most... Shot it with water and 400 grit sandpaper ( Log out / Change ) you. Squeeze out the last coat of clear wood finish to a high enough grit and ’... For reactive finishes ( water based ) are more difficult to rub out the hardest protective finishes for /. Area smooth then shot it with water and 400 grit sandpaper the embedded dust, poly... Enough coats to be plastic coated hand-rubbing your lacquer finish, squeeze the! The wax onto the piece, stroking with the grain successfully apply washer,... Etc. originally designed for floors and has a primary quality of abrasion resistance 4.

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