firefli Posted March 29, 2012 Report Share Posted March 29, 2012 I'm new to woodworking and I'm finishing a nightstand I made. This is my first finishing project and I've learned a few things along the way, However, I had completed three coats of water based Poly by minwax, and it was looking surprisingly good in my opinion. I had used 220 to scuff between each coat and after I applied the fourth coat I noticed It had some streaks. I start off by making sure I stir the Poly in the can. Then I poured about enough for the job in too a secondary container. I sealed the can and applied the finish. I would do this for each coat and make sure that the secondary container was clean before following the procedure again for the next coat. I'm not sure why I had streaks on the fourth coat. Could it be because the finish has started aging since I opened the can? I tried to sand it down and do it again but I had the same results. Oh how I wish I stopped at the third coat. I guess it's part of the learning curve. Anyway, I'll sure appreciate any tips or insight into what happened. From what I've read it seems to indicate that I didn't stir the can enough but I was sure to stir it just as much as I did for the first three. Thanks in advanced, Robert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duckkisser Posted March 29, 2012 Report Share Posted March 29, 2012 you can sand it down a bit and try geting it even then use wip on poly to finish it. i prefer to use a wip on poly as there is fewer streaking or driping as long as you vigulant. the wipe on is cut with something so i dont know how to thin it down after you buy the regular. i just buy it at the store since i dont go throught that much as i prefer a cut shellac finish. what do you use to apply you finish? i prefer to use a home made brush that i make from the furniture padding you buy at a craft/fabric store. if you serous you might want to think about geting a spray unit and spray you finishes onto you projects its much faster and gives a better finish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jfitz Posted March 29, 2012 Report Share Posted March 29, 2012 Robert, can you elaborate on how you applied the finish? Brush? foam pad? wipe-on? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefli Posted March 29, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 29, 2012 I applied the finish with a foam brush. Is it ok to use a oil based wipe on poly after using the water based stuff? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duckkisser Posted March 29, 2012 Report Share Posted March 29, 2012 dont know about that as we can only use the water base at work. try it with a scrap piece and see what it does. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derwood Posted April 1, 2012 Report Share Posted April 1, 2012 Oil based over the water based doesn't sound so hot. Scrap test it definitely. Tell us the results please. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefli Posted April 5, 2012 Author Report Share Posted April 5, 2012 So far I've tried sanding and redoing it, but I get the streaks every time. Im not sure what I'm doing differently, but I can't get it right anymore. I'm tempted to use an oil based aerosol, but that doesn't seem like a very cost effective way to go. I'll let you know how it goes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derwood Posted April 14, 2012 Report Share Posted April 14, 2012 When you sanded, did you go from low to high? No backtracking at all? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.