Mike Vee Posted February 24, 2017 Author Report Share Posted February 24, 2017 On 2/22/2017 at 2:15 PM, Eric. said: I use Platin pads to buff the surface after it's cured. I tried the paper bag thing once...didn't work well for me. This is an optional step but it makes your finish baby butt smooth. Wet sand with a 50/50 mix of mineral spirits/mineral oil. https://www.amazon.com/492371-Festool-Platin-Abrasive-15pcs/dp/B00CN0MX78/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1487801592&sr=8-1&keywords=festool+platin+2000 Hi Eric, Quick question. When you talk about the optional step, the 50/50 solution is after the surface is cured right? so I do this after say, 2 weeks of leaving it alone? Also, I checked the surface this morning and there are small bumps and stuff. Should I still sand it down now or wait till it's fully cured then do the 50/50 mix? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric. Posted February 24, 2017 Report Share Posted February 24, 2017 I've done it the day after the final coat, but that's not ideal. The longer you can wait the better. Two weeks would be great but ordinarily you should be safe after a few days. Those small bumps are dust nibs. Lightly wet sand with 2000 grit with the grain to get rid of them. The Platin pads are better than plain wet/dry paper because you run less risk of sanding through finish. You're not trying to sand...you're "polishing" the surface. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Vee Posted February 24, 2017 Author Report Share Posted February 24, 2017 Great! Thanks! I'm thinking that after 2 weeks, i'll assemble the piece for the desk. I'm still wondering if I should a 6th coat because I like even numbers.. but that's just a crazy quirk of mine.. I don't like odd numbers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drzaius Posted February 24, 2017 Report Share Posted February 24, 2017 If it looks good, call it good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Vee Posted February 24, 2017 Author Report Share Posted February 24, 2017 Yeah, it looks good. I guess i'll leave it alone then. It's been 24hrs since then, Should I be able to remove the pieces off the stands and have it leaning against a wall for 2 weeks at this point? or should i wait a little longer before i have it leaning on something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Vee Posted February 26, 2017 Author Report Share Posted February 26, 2017 Possible dumb question: When you say Mineral Oil, you mean that stuff that you can buy at pharmacies and stores like target and walmart that's used as a laxative right? and I have paint thinner, but no mineral spirits (thank you LA County... for banning that as well) so I have a diluted version of the regular mineral spirit. Should I be changing the ratio to accomodate the replacement of mineral spirits w/ paint thinner? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted February 26, 2017 Report Share Posted February 26, 2017 Yes, mineral oil laxative. Its good for what ails ya. "Oderless" mineral spirits is my preferred solvent for this. There is something on the market, called "green" mineral spirits. Don't use that. Some folks use soapy water as a polishing lube, also. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Vee Posted February 26, 2017 Author Report Share Posted February 26, 2017 hahah ok, I just wanted to make sure before I go out and buy it without thinking. I'm not sure if i'll be able to find those odorless mineral spirits in Los Angeles County though. It seems like anything that's oil based is essentially banned I'm wondering if I should re-adjust the ratio for the paint thinner's lesser strength. . I just realized this: after i wet sand the surface w/ a 2000 grit sandpaper (ever so gently), Do I leave it on the surface or wipe the excess off immediately? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drzaius Posted February 26, 2017 Report Share Posted February 26, 2017 Question here from someone who's never used the mineral oil/spirits. I've used straight mineral spirits before. What is the difference between using that & straight mineral spirits for wet sanding? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpt life Posted February 26, 2017 Report Share Posted February 26, 2017 The oil provides a lubricant that does not flash off. When the spirits flash, sometimes your slurry can get pasty thick and heat up. That's my theory with no empirical study to verify. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted February 26, 2017 Report Share Posted February 26, 2017 I agree with Carus. And Mike, wipe the goo off before it dries. It is only for lubrication, not part of the finish. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Vee Posted February 26, 2017 Author Report Share Posted February 26, 2017 gotcha. I'll keep that in mind when I polish it in 2 weeks Thanks! Sent via Tapatalk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drzaius Posted February 26, 2017 Report Share Posted February 26, 2017 3 hours ago, C Shaffer said: The oil provides a lubricant that does not flash off. When the spirits flash, sometimes your slurry can get pasty thick and heat up. That's my theory with no empirical study to verify. Gotcha, thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Vee Posted February 27, 2017 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2017 it's been 3 days, should I be able to take the desk off the stands and have it leaning on the wall to degass for the next 11 days or should I still have it on the stand or 2 weeks? Sent via Tapatalk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted February 27, 2017 Report Share Posted February 27, 2017 Lean it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Vee Posted February 27, 2017 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2017 sweet. done. Now my wife can park her car in the garage and not give me the stink eye lol Sent via Tapatalk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Vee Posted March 11, 2017 Author Report Share Posted March 11, 2017 quick update: It's been 2 weeks. Yesterday I wet sanded the entire desk with the 50/50 paint thinner/ mineral oil mixture and wow, the difference is mind blowing. it's stupid smooth (i wiped everything up as soon as I finish polishing a section with a 2000 grit sandpaper). Now I'm on the phase where I'm spray painting and sealing the pipes black and the flanges with plastidip and sealing it w/ a matte sealer. Hopefully everything will be good to go by Sunday after the paint fully sets. EDIT: Just added a pic of some of the parts that are sitting out to cure after it's dried to the touch. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted March 11, 2017 Report Share Posted March 11, 2017 I think its coming along great, Mike! Can't wait to see a photo of the finished product! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chet Posted March 11, 2017 Report Share Posted March 11, 2017 I am with Ross, Can't wait to see the final product. It took a little work on your part but I think you made a good recovery from your initial finish problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Vee Posted March 17, 2017 Author Report Share Posted March 17, 2017 Hi! Update! IT'S DONE! but not without a few extra bumps along the way. My initial assessment that an 8" pipe would be the right height turned out to be incorrect. it was actually 2 inches too high. the eyeline was a little above center of the monitor which makes me tilt my head up constantly. I went back to Home Depot and grabbed 6" pipes and redid the entire sand (including sanding out the stamps on the pipe with my trusty Proxxon rotary tool) and spray work. All in all, this was an extremely fun but exhausting project. I enjoyed the process of doing and researching and finally putting it together. so here are the pics of my desk : Sitting position Standing position A close up of the desk bonus: this was with the 8" pipes (you might be able to see why it's awkwardly tall) Sent via Tapatalk. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted March 17, 2017 Report Share Posted March 17, 2017 Looks nice ! I would have tried raising my chair first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drzaius Posted March 18, 2017 Report Share Posted March 18, 2017 That looks great Mike. If you'd care to do a bit of a review on the desk chassis that'd be great. I've been pondering a standing desk for a while now & really think I'd like to have one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted March 18, 2017 Report Share Posted March 18, 2017 That turned out to be a very lovely desktop. I like the clean lines of the desk. I switch to a standing desk over a year ago, and love it. Unless I get totally hooked on a task that requires intense concentration at the computer, I am much less tired at the end of the day, than when sitting. I keep a stool handy, so I can sit briefly to rest my feet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drzaius Posted March 18, 2017 Report Share Posted March 18, 2017 5 minutes ago, wtnhighlander said: That turned out to be a very lovely desktop. I like the clean lines of the desk. I switch to a standing desk over a year ago, and love it. Unless I get totally hooked on a task that requires intense concentration at the computer, I am much less tired at the end of the day, than when sitting. I keep a stool handy, so I can sit briefly to rest my feet. This is good to hear. I take it your desk has not raising/lowering mechanism. I've also been considering a treadmill desk, but that's a big commitment. Sorry for the hijack Mike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted March 18, 2017 Report Share Posted March 18, 2017 This is good to hear. I take it your desk has not raising/lowering mechanism. I've also been considering a treadmill desk, but that's a big commitment. Sorry for the hijack Mike. Several engineers at work have the motorized desks, but they are horredously wobbly. Mine is a standard desk, jacked up on blocks, in true Southern Redneck fashion! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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