Sanding before ca/blo

[cdcarter]

I was rocking along with some really nice ca/blo finishes and hit a wall. Went through the finish on a couple and had to start over. Others just wouldn't polish down to the gloss I wanted.

Only real variable I can see is that I had decided 600 was enough before applying the ca/blo. Reasoning was that it builds up anyway, and it's the ca/blo that gets smoothed out to the gloss.

I think maybe not. It can't be a coincidence that I get a better finish when I go all the way to 24k MM before applying the ca/blo. Logically it doesn't make sense, but seems to be the case.

What do you more experienced ca/blo-ers think?

 

[RussFairfield]

Finishing Rule No. ONE
No finish can be any better than the surface under it.

You answered your own question when you said the finish was better on those you had sanded to 12,000 Micro-Mesh.

 

[cdcarter]

Had a feeling I'd hear from you on that, Russ! []

I tried more coats, but that didn't help. The three as in your videos seem to be enough when they're on top of a smoother surface.

You've done a real service to the craft with your instructional work. I appreciate it.

 

[Petricore]

I have noticed recently that my finishes have been getting more matte and less shiney. It all started when I stopped my wood finishing at 400 and then do the CA and go up through 12K MM. On my next batch coming up I am going to try polishing at least through 600, and possibly MM before doing the CA.