A little help please

[W0ody]

Hi all,

i've made a toy chest for my daughter out of pine, to try out my miller dowels, i've got it ready for finishing, (starting on a 60 grit to a 240) its nice and smooth - i ran a tack cloth and then i began to apply the first coat of clear varnish - but it feels very rough when i come to apply a 2nd coat?

have i missed some sort of rubbing down process? :?

Kind regards

 

[jasonB]

If its a waterbased varnish the first coat will lift the grain (less likely with oil based) let it dry and then flat down again with 320g and do the same between any further coats.

It is possible to reduce this effect by lightly spraying the surface with water to raise the grain then going over it again with 240/320 before starting varnishing.

Jason

 

[BradNaylor]

Sanding is always needed between coats of lacquer or varnish, particularly after the first coat. It is known as 'de-nibbing'.

The best results are obtained by using foam sanding pads

or Scotch-brite pads - they look like pan scrubbers.

Cheaper but just as effective non-branded alternatives are available.

Cheers
Dan

 

[W0ody]

yeah jason - its water-based

ok thanks dan, i will have to get some later then, so i take it, the finest grit possible with sanding pad
then with smooth actions to take the rough from the surface and once again use tack cloth and apply the next coat?

does that sound ok?
and another thing guys, how long ideally would you leave the first coat or any coat to start the process above?

thanks alot guys!