Re: Eastern Cedar Question
Dave some people will probably think me excentric, but the process I use to finish my bowls is quite convoluted. I include finishing my work on the lathe, all the way to the final coats of poly if I use it.
I sand thru at least 5 grits finishing with 320 or 400. Then fine steel wool. If necessary I apply a muslin buffing wheel to the surface while it spins, using a right angle drill spinning in the opposite direction to remove any trace of scratches.
Next I apply spray laquer (Deft sanding sealer), it dries in 2 minutes spinning on the lathe. Then I take a strip of white felt, and apply light pressure to this coat which brings it to a dazzling luster.
I repeat this 2 more times to build a good hard coat.
I let it sit in the house for at least a day, then chuck it in the lathe again and apply spray gloss polyurethane. This takes at least 8 hrs to dry, so next day I chuck it again, smooth it with fine wool, and polish that coat with a new felt strip. If no problems, I apply 2nd coat of poly and repeat the process.
Usually 2 coats are enough, but have put as many as 4 on them.
Using the felt strip and light pressure, polishes the clear coat to a dazzling luster. This cedar vase doesnt have that kind of finish. But some of my other ones do. I stopped at 3 coats of laquer on this vase.
You cant beat the shine and luster the felt strip creates. Cotton would work, but lint can be a problem using it.
But you will have to be careful. If you let the strip heat the coat too much, it will start peeling streaks of it off and redepositing it on your work and strip. This will force you to back up several steps to remove the streaks and start over.
The felt induces heat to the coat. Just enough friction blends the coat to one consistent layer. Done properly, your work will look like it is coated in glass.
cad
DaveO said:Cad, that is a beautiful Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana) vase. I love the color of that wood. What did you finish it with?
Dave
Dave some people will probably think me excentric, but the process I use to finish my bowls is quite convoluted. I include finishing my work on the lathe, all the way to the final coats of poly if I use it.
I sand thru at least 5 grits finishing with 320 or 400. Then fine steel wool. If necessary I apply a muslin buffing wheel to the surface while it spins, using a right angle drill spinning in the opposite direction to remove any trace of scratches.
Next I apply spray laquer (Deft sanding sealer), it dries in 2 minutes spinning on the lathe. Then I take a strip of white felt, and apply light pressure to this coat which brings it to a dazzling luster.
I repeat this 2 more times to build a good hard coat.
I let it sit in the house for at least a day, then chuck it in the lathe again and apply spray gloss polyurethane. This takes at least 8 hrs to dry, so next day I chuck it again, smooth it with fine wool, and polish that coat with a new felt strip. If no problems, I apply 2nd coat of poly and repeat the process.
Usually 2 coats are enough, but have put as many as 4 on them.
Using the felt strip and light pressure, polishes the clear coat to a dazzling luster. This cedar vase doesnt have that kind of finish. But some of my other ones do. I stopped at 3 coats of laquer on this vase.
You cant beat the shine and luster the felt strip creates. Cotton would work, but lint can be a problem using it.
But you will have to be careful. If you let the strip heat the coat too much, it will start peeling streaks of it off and redepositing it on your work and strip. This will force you to back up several steps to remove the streaks and start over.
The felt induces heat to the coat. Just enough friction blends the coat to one consistent layer. Done properly, your work will look like it is coated in glass.
cad
