Cliff Posted May 29, 2016 Report Share Posted May 29, 2016 I'm interested in doing a final polish on my countertops (5 coats of waterlox original sealer) similar to what I did on my walnut bench. 50/50 mineral spirits/mineral oil. Waterlox is mineral spirits based so I think this will be ok. Anyone know for sure? And should I wait until it's cured? Cause that is 30-90 days supposedly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted May 29, 2016 Report Share Posted May 29, 2016 Isn't it usually a bad idea to use the finish's natural solvent as lube when you polish? Or did I mis-read something? I'm not at all familiar with Waterlox, and from the descriptions of long, stinky drying times, I don't think I want to be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cliff Posted May 29, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 29, 2016 I honestly don't know @wtnhighlander Hoping someone knows before I do it and wreck everything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brendon_t Posted May 29, 2016 Report Share Posted May 29, 2016 I don't think trying to Polish a finish before full cure is necessarily a good idea. I've never worked with it (waterlox) but that's my initial thought. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wouldwurker Posted May 29, 2016 Report Share Posted May 29, 2016 The mineral spirits flash off and the oil drys, leaving behind a resin film. Mineral spirits won't dissolve or ruin the finish. When I wet sand a final polish, I use mineral spirits as the lube. Never a problem. As far as Waterlox goes, the actual scientific chemical breakdown is 50% old tires, 50% dead skunks. I can't believe you used that vile stuff indoors! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cliff Posted May 29, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 29, 2016 I have pretty decent ventilation downstairs. That helps. Except last night when the windows were shut because the weather went crazy. I had a headache most of the night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cliff Posted May 29, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 29, 2016 Maybe I should rephrase to.. Final steps to take on this? I might just try 1000 grit festool pad alone and see how that goes. I'm just looking to get it nice and silky smooth. I think the luster is there no mater what. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted May 30, 2016 Report Share Posted May 30, 2016 I sometimes use water with a drop or two of dishwashing liquid as a sanding lubricant. Don't flood the work, just keep the paper wet. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wouldwurker Posted May 30, 2016 Report Share Posted May 30, 2016 Is waterlox a varnish or just a drying oil? If there is no varnish in it I don't think it will polish well. It's a wiping varnish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronn W Posted May 31, 2016 Report Share Posted May 31, 2016 I think that you have to be careful not to abrade thru your last coat or the boundary between the last coat and the previous coat will be visible. So be careful if you use even a very fine wet/dry sandpaper. Am am starting a threadon a similar subject. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wouldwurker Posted May 31, 2016 Report Share Posted May 31, 2016 Seriously...stop overthinking this and polish the damn thing. It'll be fine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cliff Posted May 31, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 31, 2016 7 hours ago, vinnyjojo said: Seriously...stop overthinking this and polish the damn thing. It'll be fine That's exactly how a person can ruin an entire project in an instant. Just doing things does not work for me in woodworking. It almost always results in a complete disaster. Approaching anything in this manner requires knowledge and experience, two things I do not have in finishing. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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