WWA Info Exchange

little bear · Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2012 3:10 pm Post subject: Bar tops

OH MAN, Blew this one in good shape.... omg what do I do now..
I have been working on my bar for two weeks now. I can't
get a smooth finish to save my life..Varnish, poly, bar top CRUD Shocked

I cant figure it out.. My canoes look good. but i can't get my bar mirror finished right..
IF IT NOT A BRUSH HAIR, ITS A LITTLE BUMP OF SOME KIND Rolling Eyes

NOW I AM OUT OF FINISH ANYWAY... Confused

BUBBLES ON TOP OF MY FINISH SUCK.. BECAUSE SOME GUY WILL COME OVER AND ASK FOR A BEER AND SITE AT MY BAR AND TOUCH OFF ON A BUMP BSEG

AND THEN LOOK OVER AT ME AND SAY, LOOKS LIKE YOU HAD A PROBLEM... AND IT WILL BE MY DAD Rolling Eyes

GOOD OLE DAD..

hebertoo · Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2012 4:43 pm Post subject:

Finish it off with a wipe on finish. Sand it smooth, then wipe on several coats of a thinned varnish (thinned with mineral spirits or paint thinner), or as many as it takes. The thinned coats will dry quickly so you don't get much if any dust and you won't get any bubbles. I don't use much varnish but when I do I always thin it a bit and that helps it spread and settles the bubbles. And don't be real aggresive with the brush. Someone here probably has more experience with that than I do.

yank · Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2012 9:04 am Post subject:

I have used that bar top finish before on a couple of projects. To remove the bubbles, you have to us a heat gun or a hair dryer, light pass it over the area of the bubble or bubbles, and they will rise up and break up and go. Careful with the heat, not too close and keep it moving, do not hold in one area. Not sure how it will work and a large area tho.
_________________
My father was my Mentor for my WW hobby. luv ya dad.

WW'ers I have met.
Guroo
Verna
Wooder
Paul, (brother,)
Falcon1.
Gene and his friend George

Olepeddler · Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2012 10:48 am Post subject:

I agree w/ hebertoo. Wipe on finishes are the secret to nice finishes. I haven't used a brush in about two years except for paint (which is what I think brushes were meant for in the first place.).

I suspect that although wiped on finishes do dry faster, they also wet out much better allowing bubbles and streakes to settle out easily. I haven't had a streak mark or bubble using this method.

Try a 70/30 mix of Poly (or varnish as hebertoo calls it.....same thing) and spirits. Spirits and thinner are basically the same thing but spirits don't have the room and house filling smell. I sand between applications w/ a 320 grit sanding spunge and usually put on at least 3 coats (4 if it's a really nice piece and a good client).

Good luck.
_________________
Joe T

brrman · Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2012 12:09 pm Post subject:

I had this same problem with a cherry door I was finishing. Always little bumps, even after my wipe on poly finish (which I normally do as a final coat).

So I took my PorterCable polisher I use on my car and polished it down with some extra fine cut compound. Came out amazing. You could do this by hand, but it would mean a lot of elbow grease.

Lawrence · Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2012 11:48 am Post subject:

I know it is too late now, but next time, a torch will help remove bubbles before the top dries- you wave a lit torch over the epoxy, and the bubbles just "pop" before the epoxy dries

Lawrence

Gene · Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2012 12:34 pm Post subject:

Some of these kinds of problems are due to not using a proper pad. From Flexner's book:

_________________
Gene
Photobucket
My Weather

little bear · Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2012 11:57 am Post subject:

Thanks,

I will try a few ways. I am on my fourth coat of wipe on today.
I have been using General finishes "ARM. R. SEAL. heavy duty oil and urethane top coat.. gloss.

The stuff cost 40.00 a gallon.. OMG.

I just don't understand the buffing thing..If someone on here knows what to use and how to buff i am all ears...

I need step by step instructions and all the steps from A TO Z.
IT LIKE BUILDING A CADILLAC AND GIVING IT A TWO CENT FINISH...
people love to touch and feel things... If it has bumps it a turn off.

10fingers · Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2012 4:12 pm Post subject:

Check out this video on applying wipe on varnish.

http://www.finewoodworking.com/SkillsAndTechniques/SkillsAndTechniquesArticle.aspx?id=30611

Also see this article.

http://www.hardwoodlumberandmore.com/Articles/ArticleViewPage/tabid/75/ArticleId/5/Wipe-on-Varnish.aspx
_________________
Alaskans for Global Warming

little bear · Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2012 6:33 pm Post subject:

[quote="10fingers"]Check out this video on applying wipe on varnish.

http://www.finewoodworking.com/SkillsAndTechniques/SkillsAndTechniquesArticle.aspx?id=30611

Also see this article.

http://www.hardwoodlumberandmore.com/Articles/ArticleViewPage/tabid/75/ArticleId/5/Wipe-on-Varnish.aspx[/quot

thanks very much