studiokayan Posted September 26, 2013 Report Share Posted September 26, 2013 Still a bit new to woodworking - I've built a small desk (about 4' x 2'), and am about to start applying finish. I'm planning to brush on poly on the desktop surface, but not sure if brushing it onto the sides would cause issues. If brushing poly onto vertical surfaces is troublesome, would it end up looking fairly uniform if I: - brush poly onto the desktop surface, and - create a wiping poly for the sides by diluting with mineral spirits? Thank you for any input; Best regards, Matt K Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tkf530 Posted September 26, 2013 Report Share Posted September 26, 2013 If you can, put it on its side so the verticle side is now horrizontal, brush or wipe away. Of course place a mat or something soft on the bottom when you flip it. Let it dry and move to the next and next. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpt life Posted September 26, 2013 Report Share Posted September 26, 2013 Tkf, this is a great idea in shops with great climate control. In hobby shops poly is notorious for behaving differently in varied climate zones. I am not disagreeing with you I just feel this concept must be planned for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodger. Posted September 27, 2013 Report Share Posted September 27, 2013 Wipe on poly is made for this purpose (vertical). Give it a try! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRBaker Posted September 27, 2013 Report Share Posted September 27, 2013 Hey Matt. Welcome to the forum. Franklin is correct. Wipe on poly is great on vertical surfaces and you can keep adding coats until it has the sheen you desire. Show us some pics when you finish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studiokayan Posted September 27, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 27, 2013 (edited) Thanks everybody - I'll probably try all three techniques on a test board first when I get to it: brushed on horizontal, brushed on vertical, and wipe-on with mineral spirits Edited September 28, 2013 by studiokayan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pghmyn Posted September 28, 2013 Report Share Posted September 28, 2013 Wipe on poly is made for this purpose (vertical). Give it a try! It is a dream to use, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRBaker Posted September 28, 2013 Report Share Posted September 28, 2013 Thanks everybody - I'll probably try all three techniques on a test board first when I get to it: brushed on horizontal, brushed on vertical, and wipe-on with mineral oil. Don't you mean Mineral Spirits? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Byrdie Posted September 28, 2013 Report Share Posted September 28, 2013 Mineral spirits may work if he wants it to be easily moved ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studiokayan Posted September 28, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 28, 2013 Thank you for the good catch, @TRBaker - mineral spirits, not mineral oil. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studiokayan Posted October 27, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 27, 2013 Thanks again for the advice, everyone - here are pictures of the finished product. I mixed a wipe-on poly (2:1 poly/mineral spirits), and wiped on 7 layers on all surfaces, lightly wet sanding every 2 coats w/400 grit sandpaper. To build up faster on the top of the desk, I brushed on three layers additional undiluted layers of poly. Happily, the thicker, brushed poly on the top doesn't look too different from the thinner, wipe-on everywhere else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRBaker Posted October 28, 2013 Report Share Posted October 28, 2013 Studio, the finish looks great. Glad we could help. What's your next project? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChetlovesMer Posted October 28, 2013 Report Share Posted October 28, 2013 StudioKayan, I'm impressed that you knew that wipe on poly is just diluted regular poly. I always chuckle when I see a tiny can of "wipe-on" poly in the store for twice as much as a big can of standard poly. So, you are giving me less and charging me more... that's a great deal, I'll take it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studiokayan Posted November 3, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 3, 2013 Thanks again – next project will probably be a matching shelf unit for the desk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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