Wax Finish Help?

<< Subject: Re: Wax Finish Help?
From: MikeG [email protected]
Date: Tue, Aug 17, 2004 11:40 PM
Message-id: <[email protected]>

In article <[email protected]>, cblood59
@aol.com says...
> Hello,
>
> I need help with my dining table project. I've gotten to the final finishing
> stage, and the carnuba wax finish, which I've applied, looks streaky. My
> finish is as follows:
>
> Wood: Cherry
>
> Sealer coat: gel varnish
> mahogany gel stain x 1 coat
> gel varnish x 1 coat
> cherry gel stain x 1 coat
> gel varnish x 4 coats
>
> After two weeks of curing, I flattened the surface with 600 sandpaper, and
0000
> synthetic steel wool. Then I applied the wax, wrapped in a ball of
> cheesecloth. I buffed the wax with a buffing pad on a hand drill, the pad
used
> manually, and cheesecloth, but I can't get rid of the streaks (with the
grain,
> FWIW). It appears that the wax has adhered to most areas of the surface, but
> one can see uneven patches in angled light.
>
> Possible causes:
>
> I may not have waited long enough for the finish to cure. I waited two
weeks.
> Most books recommend waiting a month, but they also say that the thumbnail
test
> can also be used. The finish seemed hard enough, using this test.
>
> Perhaps I'm waiting too long or not long enough when buffing the wax. The
> instructions on the can say to wait until it's completely dry. How long is
> that in minutes/hours?
>
> My buffing tools may not be right for the job.
>
> Does anyone have a suggestion as to how to proceed? I'm inclined to strip
the
> wax off (I've only applied it to one half of the table), and reapply a coat
or
> two of varnish and wait a good while before finishing the finish. Has anyone
> used pumice and rottenstone? I understand these will bring the finish to a
> nice satin lustre.
>
> Thank you.
>
> Curt Blood
>
At a guess, too thick a coat of wax. Better three or four THIN coats.
It'll buff out much easier.
--
MikeG
Heirloom Woods
www.heirloom-woods.net
[email protected]


Thanks for the reply. Let's see if I understand what you're saying. Do you
suspect that the dull streaks are places where I have not removed the wax?
I've rubbed the you-know-what out of it, but I'll keep working at it. I used a
ball of wax about 2-3 inches in diameter for a surface which measures 32 by 44
inches. This didn't seem excessive to me. What do you think?

CB

CB


>>

"CBlood59" wrote in message ...
> << Subject: Re: Wax Finish Help?
>
> Thanks for the reply. Let's see if I understand what you're saying. Do you
> suspect that the dull streaks are places where I have not removed the wax?
> I've rubbed the you-know-what out of it, but I'll keep working at it. I used a
> ball of wax about 2-3 inches in diameter for a surface which measures 32 by 44
> inches. This didn't seem excessive to me. What do you think?

It seems excessive to me, by a lot. With carnauba, a little goes a long way, and it dries
really hard. You may need to soften it by applying a (very) little more fresh wax to melt
the dried, and buff immediately.

In article <[email protected]>, cblood59
@aol.com says...
> << Subject: Re: Wax Finish Help?
> From: MikeG [email protected]
> Date: Tue, Aug 17, 2004 11:40 PM
> Message-id: <[email protected]>
>
> In article <[email protected]>, cblood59
> @aol.com says...
> > Hello,
> >
> > I need help with my dining table project. I've gotten to the final finishing
> > stage, and the carnuba wax finish, which I've applied, looks streaky. My
> > finish is as follows:
> >
> > Wood: Cherry
> >
> > Sealer coat: gel varnish
> > mahogany gel stain x 1 coat
> > gel varnish x 1 coat
> > cherry gel stain x 1 coat
> > gel varnish x 4 coats
> >
> > After two weeks of curing, I flattened the surface with 600 sandpaper, and
> 0000
> > synthetic steel wool. Then I applied the wax, wrapped in a ball of
> > cheesecloth. I buffed the wax with a buffing pad on a hand drill, the pad
> used
> > manually, and cheesecloth, but I can't get rid of the streaks (with the
> grain,
> > FWIW). It appears that the wax has adhered to most areas of the surface, but
> > one can see uneven patches in angled light.
> >
> > Possible causes:
> >
> > I may not have waited long enough for the finish to cure. I waited two
> weeks.
> > Most books recommend waiting a month, but they also say that the thumbnail
> test
> > can also be used. The finish seemed hard enough, using this test.
> >
> > Perhaps I'm waiting too long or not long enough when buffing the wax. The
> > instructions on the can say to wait until it's completely dry. How long is
> > that in minutes/hours?
> >
> > My buffing tools may not be right for the job.
> >
> > Does anyone have a suggestion as to how to proceed? I'm inclined to strip
> the
> > wax off (I've only applied it to one half of the table), and reapply a coat
> or
> > two of varnish and wait a good while before finishing the finish. Has anyone


Hi Curt

Of course I can't, since I can't see the item or watch you put the wax
on, say for sure. However if you have a good surface to start with and
streaks after you apply the wax ................. Well......

I used too be be overly enthusiastic in applying wax myself. The results
were pretty much what you describe and yes, it is a bitch buffing all
that wax our.

Wrap the wax as you did but that doesn't mean you have to apply it all.
A light touch, don't push it in and just a skim coat. Let dry, buff,
repeat two or three times. Buff each coat until running your finger over
the wax coat doesn't leave any streaks.

Good luck



--
MikeG
Heirloom Woods
www.heirloom-woods.net
[email protected]

Based on the minimum amount of wax you stated (2" ball) and the area you
covered, that would be a wax coating almost .003 thick. About thirty times
thicker than it should be. Yes, it is gobs of wax you are seeing.

"CBlood59" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:20040817200956.05916.00003727@mb- I used a
> ball of wax about 2-3 inches in diameter for a surface which measures 32
by 44
> inches. This didn't seem excessive to me. What do you think?
>
> CB
>
> CB
>
>
> >>
>
>
>

Well, the surface is improving, after each buffing session. It's still not
perfect, though. Thanks for the input.

CB

On 18 Aug 2004 11:40:00 GMT, [email protected] (CBlood59) calmly
ranted:

>Well, the surface is improving, after each buffing session. It's still not
>perfect, though. Thanks for the input.

Paint thinner, Xylene, denatured alcohol, and ammonia are wax
removers/melters, CB. Why not start over?

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