varnish help

[alexXx]

Im varnishing some wood i have, and the tin of varnish says not to use steel wool or oxidized sand paper. What do they mean oxidized sandpaper? the only sandpaper than i have is aluminum oxide which is what most sandpaper out there is.

Is it ok to use?

 

[alexXx]

bump

 

[shot]

I wouldnt worry about using oxidized sandpaer as long as yoy thoroughly clean the suface. Steel wool is a bad mistake. The steel fragments will get trpped in the wood grain.

What type of wood are you varnishing?

 

[alexXx]

maple, and i used that sandpaper to originally sand the wood, and have since put on 2 coats of varnish. Before my 3rd coat i was going to sand lightly.

 

[shot]

If the wood was bare to start with apply 4 or 5 coats. Wet sand with at least a 400 grit wet or dry paper between coats. Are you using a spar varnish?

 

[alexXx]

yes, im using 'Flecto, varathane elite'

 

[shot]

Originally posted by: alexXx
yes, im using 'Flecto, varathane elite'

is that the water based finish? if so its not really a varnish, more of an acrylic finish. Or is it the diamond IPN finish? The later is some excellent finish.

If you going for a high gloss finish, the first 2 coats should be a satin finish then use whatever finish you want. This will also bring out the depth of the wood grain.

 

[Squisher]

Originally posted by: shot

Originally posted by: alexXx
yes, im using 'Flecto, varathane elite'

is that the water based finish? if so its not really a varnish, more of an acrylic finish. Or is it the diamond IPN finish? The later is some excellent finish.

If you going for a high gloss finish, the first 2 coats should be a satin finish then use whatever finish you want. This will also bring out the depth of the wood grain.

I've been told just the opposite. Gloss as undercoats, satins as top coats.

Satins have solids suspended in them, multiple coats of satins can give a milky appearance.

 

[alexXx]

it says diamond gloss or something
edit: but it says 'watercleanup' so i assume it is waterbased
edit2: it says IP coating

 

[shot]

I've been told just the opposite. Gloss as undercoats, satins as top coats.

Satins have solids suspended in them, multiple coats of satins can give a milky appearance.

you're right, my bad...brain not working.