In my recent limited readings, (I still need to get Flexner) I have noticed
that authors always demonstrate high polish finishes (i.e. french polishing)
on the tabletop itself and never mention the rest of the piece (as in the
legs and aprons, in the case of a table). Is it typical to apply the same
technique to those areas, or just to the top since that is the focal point,
and something less labor intensive to the rest of the piece? If, in fact
you apply a different technique to the legs and aprons, what is typically
done?
Steve P.
So, if I have applied 4 coats of varnish and sanded and polished the top,
then to the rest, I should apply 4 coats of varnish and rub to an acceptable
sheen.
Steve P.
"Steven P" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> In my recent limited readings, (I still need to get Flexner) I have
noticed
> that authors always demonstrate high polish finishes (i.e. french
polishing)
> on the tabletop itself and never mention the rest of the piece (as in the
> legs and aprons, in the case of a table). Is it typical to apply the same
> technique to those areas, or just to the top since that is the focal
point,
> and something less labor intensive to the rest of the piece? If, in fact
> you apply a different technique to the legs and aprons, what is typically
> done?
>
> Steve P.
>
>
"So, if I have applied 4 coats of varnish and sanded and polished the top,
then to the rest, I should apply 4 coats of varnish and rub to an acceptable
sheen."
not in my book. The underside would get finished to nice sheen...that may take
two coats and then steel wood and wax. The top I would treat separetly. I may
do the 4 coats and sand and buff out but then that is cured, I would start the
entire buffing out process. I happen to use the 4 step Menzerna system along
with the Festool Rotex sanding/polisher. This page may help:
http://www.woodshopdemos.com/trays-13.htm
On Fri, 6 Aug 2004 08:35:42 -0400, "Steven P"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>Is it typical to apply the same
>technique to those areas,
No, it's typical to apply the same _materials_, but often the
_technique_ is a less labour-intensive variant.
What the builder prefers. I don't care to polish out the beneaths, you may.
"Steven P" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> In my recent limited readings, (I still need to get Flexner) I have
noticed
> that authors always demonstrate high polish finishes (i.e. french
polishing)
> on the tabletop itself and never mention the rest of the piece (as in the
> legs and aprons, in the case of a table). Is it typical to apply the same
> technique to those areas, or just to the top since that is the focal
point,
> and something less labor intensive to the rest of the piece? If, in fact
> you apply a different technique to the legs and aprons, what is typically
> done?
>
> Steve P.
>
>
In article <[email protected]>,
[email protected] says...
> In my recent limited readings, (I still need to get Flexner) I have noticed
> that authors always demonstrate high polish finishes (i.e. french polishing)
> on the tabletop itself and never mention the rest of the piece (as in the
> legs and aprons, in the case of a table). Is it typical to apply the same
> technique to those areas, or just to the top since that is the focal point,
> and something less labor intensive to the rest of the piece? If, in fact
> you apply a different technique to the legs and aprons, what is typically
> done?
>
> Steve P.
>
>
>
My votes with the no you don't kill yourself with other then the large
flat obvious portions of the piece. That doesn't mean you short change
the rest but you don't go the whole rubbing out routine. Sometimes you
may actually have to tone it down hair with some 0000 steel wool because
the high surface shine can conflict with the deeper rubbed out sheen.
--
MikeG
Heirloom Woods
www.heirloom-woods.net
[email protected]
In article <[email protected]>,
[email protected] says...
> So, if I have applied 4 coats of varnish and sanded and polished the top,
> then to the rest, I should apply 4 coats of varnish and rub to an acceptable
> sheen.
>
> Steve P.
>
Hi Steve
No, not necessarily. You just don't want a dramatic difference between
the highly polished top and the rest of the piece. That would be too
noticeable.
What you would probably want to do is NOT put on four coats just one or
two good coats on the lower unit. Then do what is necessary to have it
not glaringly contrast with the top. Sometimes it rubbing it sometimes
it is hitting it lightly with some 0000 steel wool.
There is no hard fast rule. All you can do is get your finish perfect on
the top and then get enough finish on the lower part so that it is
protected and, with the top on, looks pleasing to the eye.
That last part is the trick. When the piece is assembled you want people
to look at it and SEE the top and just have the bottom fade into the
background, not have the eye drawn too it, either because the finish is
too poor or too glossy, rather then the top.
I know that is a bit fuzzy but I hope that makes some sense.
--
MikeG
Heirloom Woods
www.heirloom-woods.net
[email protected]
Actually it does, and is a big help. Now I just need to start a table
project.
Thanks to one and all for taking the time to answer.
Steve P.
"MikeG" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> In article <[email protected]>,
> [email protected] says...
> > So, if I have applied 4 coats of varnish and sanded and polished the
top,
> > then to the rest, I should apply 4 coats of varnish and rub to an
acceptable
> > sheen.
> >
> > Steve P.
> >
>
> Hi Steve
>
> No, not necessarily. You just don't want a dramatic difference between
> the highly polished top and the rest of the piece. That would be too
> noticeable.
>
> What you would probably want to do is NOT put on four coats just one or
> two good coats on the lower unit. Then do what is necessary to have it
> not glaringly contrast with the top. Sometimes it rubbing it sometimes
> it is hitting it lightly with some 0000 steel wool.
>
> There is no hard fast rule. All you can do is get your finish perfect on
> the top and then get enough finish on the lower part so that it is
> protected and, with the top on, looks pleasing to the eye.
>
> That last part is the trick. When the piece is assembled you want people
> to look at it and SEE the top and just have the bottom fade into the
> background, not have the eye drawn too it, either because the finish is
> too poor or too glossy, rather then the top.
>
> I know that is a bit fuzzy but I hope that makes some sense.
>
>
> --
> MikeG
> Heirloom Woods
> www.heirloom-woods.net
> [email protected]
Seems to me there are logical reasons for paying additional attention to the
surfaces that receive the most wear and need additional finish and areas
which "show" the piece off. The former is basically a pure functional
consideration, the latter an asthetic one .
Generally both of these premises have to be met, a piece that does not stand
up normal wear and tear is a failure as is a piece with a crappy finish.
Getting a good looking finish on a piece in the area where it is most
apparent usually involves more coats more elbow grease and more finish,
which in most cases covers the durability aspects. Areas that are not so
attention getting do not generally need the same finishing attention
[assuming we are not discussing valuable antiques and the like] because they
do not get the same wear and secondly the light strikes them at different
angles making finishing flaws etc less apparent.....mjh
--
http://members.tripod.com/mikehide2
"Steven P" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> In my recent limited readings, (I still need to get Flexner) I have
noticed
> that authors always demonstrate high polish finishes (i.e. french
polishing)
> on the tabletop itself and never mention the rest of the piece (as in the
> legs and aprons, in the case of a table). Is it typical to apply the same
> technique to those areas, or just to the top since that is the focal
point,
> and something less labor intensive to the rest of the piece? If, in fact
> you apply a different technique to the legs and aprons, what is typically
> done?
>
> Steve P.
>
>