Finishing advice please.... now finished!

WoodAddict · 3 May 2010

Hi All,

I've cut a plaque for my in-laws' ruby wedding anniversary. The "temporary" spray adhesive I used doesn't seem to be very temporary. It's left a horrible colouring on the wood. I think I'm correct in saying that I've used Birch Ply. I had to sand off the paper pattern with my electric sander but after so long it started leaving a reddish colour on the wood. Do you think I should try again by hand and hope that the colour isn't too deep or should I stain/varnish over it (although I don't think this will solve anything personally).

It's a bit frustrating as I like the piece but I have left the sanding and tidying of the internal edges until I know I can resolve this problem. It's been a pain from the beginning as I snapped my last blade whilst cutting it so had to finish most of the lettering by hand with a coping saw

Once I get it resolved I'll be framing the piece with some quadrant beeding. I wasn't planning on colouring but not so sure now. If I can't solve it then it'll be on the scrap pile :curse:

Any thoughts?

Thanks
Paul

Shane · 3 May 2010

How thick is the top layer of ply?, is there enough to sand further without breaking through?

WoodAddict · 3 May 2010

There's less than a millimetre, which is why I thought of just hand sanding rather than electric??

Shane · 3 May 2010

I see what you mean, how about doing a sepeate test piece and trying different things ie white spirit etc

WoodAddict · 3 May 2010

thats not a bad idea. I'll have a light go with the sand paper tomorrow, If I think I'm going to deep with no sign of it shifting then I'll try some cleaning fluids. :?

Thanks for the suggestion.