JBeck
Member
I just completed two Sierra pens in amboyna burl one a click version and one a elegant version. The problem I'm having is that the finish on both of these burls pitted. I'm very careful to wipe down with a tack cloth between coats of finish so I'm pretty sure the pitting is not caused by dust. The finishing method I used is as follows:
1. Sanded MM to 12,000
2. 2 coats of shellac sanding sealer, sanding with 600 grit between coats
3. 3 coats of Minwax fast drying poly, sanding with 1500 grit (lathe stopped) between coats. 4 hrs or more cure time between coats.
4. 3 more coats of Minwax fast drying poly without sanding between coats. Note all coats of Minwax poly was left to dry for at least 4 hrs prior to putting on the next coat
5. After the final coat, it was left to cure for 24 hrs, then buffed starting with MM 6,000 - 12,000. Then buffed with Brasso.
I saw this method posted somewhere on this forum but don't remember where - sorry.
I was told that since it was a burl I was finishing, that the pitting may just have been a natural part of the wood and that I should have put more coats of shellac to level out the wood before applying the poly.
I would appreciate some of you finishing experts to weigh in on what I may or may not be doing wrong. And any advise would be greatly appreciated.
John
1. Sanded MM to 12,000
2. 2 coats of shellac sanding sealer, sanding with 600 grit between coats
3. 3 coats of Minwax fast drying poly, sanding with 1500 grit (lathe stopped) between coats. 4 hrs or more cure time between coats.
4. 3 more coats of Minwax fast drying poly without sanding between coats. Note all coats of Minwax poly was left to dry for at least 4 hrs prior to putting on the next coat
5. After the final coat, it was left to cure for 24 hrs, then buffed starting with MM 6,000 - 12,000. Then buffed with Brasso.
I saw this method posted somewhere on this forum but don't remember where - sorry.
I was told that since it was a burl I was finishing, that the pitting may just have been a natural part of the wood and that I should have put more coats of shellac to level out the wood before applying the poly.
I would appreciate some of you finishing experts to weigh in on what I may or may not be doing wrong. And any advise would be greatly appreciated.
John