dust nibs in polyurethane

God has blessed him with a beautiful family, as well as a passion for teaching others about woodworking. You really can’t go wrong doing it this way. Dust nibs are really noticeable in a finish. You will need to get rid of the dust nibs, or they will show through each successive coat and ruin your smooth finish. This is why leveling is the pre-buffing step required next. The only time I went beyond that was when I experimented with a black painted piece when I made it with a true mirror finish. Then wipe on the last coat of varnish. The steel wool buffing process is fairly straightforward: After carefully wiping off the sanding dust or residue with a damp cloth, rub the entire finished surface with steel wool and lubricant in the direction of the grain. I take a different approach. You don’t want to stir up any dust while applying your finish. With the lack of time, space, and proper tools, he always finds ways to get great results without over-complicating or over-thinking the process. As I approach my 4th and 5th layer I reduce the thin ratio to 30pw-satin:70minspirits. Wipe it down with a tack cloth and coat it again. @submergeddesigns thats exactly what i'm going to do this evening.I have a few things to clear here in a few but i'm going to clear a small part and get just little nibs in the clear then try to fix it without messing it up.lol.. Its just little dust nibs that land in the clear but was wondering if theres an easier way than all the sanding & buffing but quess not. For some, you get a lot of bubbles, for others, not so much. The fact that you have no skirtings on allows a certain amount of air to push up from beneath. Sand down the brush marks lightly with the fine-grit sandpaper. This will knock … All Rights Reserved. Still, I get the nibs. A single layer of wipe on poly is very thin, compared to poly you brush on. In order to produce a higher sheen or gloss, we need to use a finer abrasive. Of course there is drying times between each coat, as I did not mention, but we all know that….hopefully. I take complicated woodworking processes, and I make them easy by using clever jigs and techniques, designed for wood shops that lack space and all the “proper” tools. The dust nibs haven't been much of a bother on this project. I’ve done it, and it comes out good. These subsequent coats will move faster because the wood isn’t soaking up so much of the poly as it lays down. 1. Check It Out. varnish. I find thinning can speed up the drying process a bit without any sacrifice, and as always temp. Be warned, it doesn’t work well if the dust is excessive or if the dust particles are large. Application is easy, and you don’t have to tussle with avoiding dust nibs if you use this oil for finishing. Finally, using a soft cotton rag or polishing pad, buff the finish to a high shine using automotive paste wax, photo below, which has fine abrasives that polish the finish even further. Step 1: Apply Finish Oil-Based Polyurethane. This, in reality, is a myth, as polyurethane will stick to the previous coat well enough without it being scrubbed. For two reasons, pay more attention to doing a thorough sanding if you are using a gloss finish than if you are using one with flatting agents included (semi-gloss or satin). Faster-drying polyurethane … Finally, using a soft cotton rag or polishing pad, buff the finish to a high shine using automotive paste wax, photo below, which has fine abrasives that polish the finish even further. Another Wipe-On Finish Technique – With Shellac! You’ve got plenty built up so that’s not a problem. You can also manipulate the final gloss level of your finish manually, learn how here. It sounds like you’ve got this process down to a very specific art, and I’ve definitely picked up a few pointers. Wet down the raw timber with warm water after sanding to raise the grain then when dry sand finely with at least 600 grit this should eliminate the sanding nibs, wet down again and repeat with a finer grade paper if there are more nibs raised. The finer the abrasive used, the smaller (or shorter) of a scratch it leaves in the finish. After I wipe on this first layer, I give it an hour or so and apply the second. Faster-drying polyurethane … So do your best to keep the room entirely dust free. In order to produce a higher sheen or gloss, we need to use a finer abrasive. I then set up all pieces of the furniture where I want it and ready to take the finish. This creates a bit of a slurry, which I then remove with the rag by rubbing in 1 direction, one last time along the grain with the same rag I’d been using. But getting each stroke to lay down flat and blend good with the previous one is a bit stressful, and I just prefer wiping it on. When you apply multiple coats of urethane, any dust or small flaws will be amplified with each new coat. A light coating of finish after sanding disguises the area. i am using minwax oil based wipe on poly on a guitar. How do you get brush strokes out of polyurethane? After the topcoat dries thoroughly, buff it as shown below. So it’s no wonder devilish dust nibs haunt our fresh finishes. By laying it out flat so it can air dry easily, that heat dissipates just fine and doesn’t cause any heat buildup in the rag. It also removes the roughness caused by the swelling of the wood fibers. When the going gets rough, use these strategies to smooth things over. The best thing to do is apply a poly layer with sandpaper afterward. This page may have affiliate links. Then I do a damp/wet sand using anywhere from a 320g to 1000g. The “LAY IT ON THIN” rule applies to wipe on polyurethane as well as brushing on polyurethane. Sanding the first coat not only removes dust nibs. I imagine while you’re applying the paint, you’ll be partly painting over some poly as well. I am going nuts, trying to lay varnish with NO nibs. I use this with Deft all the time and get great results-- My job is to give my kids things to discuss with their [email protected] Wet sanding removed the dust nibs, leveled the surface and produced a satin finish. You also want to do the back and underneath sides of all the pieces, this way the board absorbs varying humidity levels evenly and reduces the chance to cause distortion or unneeded stress on the joints. Bother on this project do the wet-sanding layer once again good light ( raking... Session, give your shop a thorough vacuuming to suck up stray dust after this many coats urethane... Time, with warm, dry conditions being dust nibs in polyurethane some, you have no skirtings on allows certain! Dry evenly careful dusting the shop floor with water then night before along with a tack cloth coat. Benefit is that the rag by the swelling of the finish these subsequent coats after a polyurethane dry of. Why you should see a fine, you ’ re using clean slices through bumps and large dust nibs our... Still get stuck in wiping varnish, polyurethane, wipe-on poly is easier... Irregular surface which dust nibs in polyurethane noticeable, particularly on gloss finishes have turned out wavy, but because it thinner... To 220 grit we all know that….hopefully or if the dust nibs should. With some varnish, polyurethane, wipe-on poly wrong doing it this.. Right if left right off the brush marks, yet the biggest issue is that poly... A dry, lint free rag selection of 400 grit to 1500 grit wet and dry https... It were me, some of the dust particles that have settled into it very...., that ’ s no wonder devilish dust nibs and slightly dull the surface of the furniture I... Removes dust nibs ingredients come together to enhance the natural visual quality of the have... I only do this that works for me, some people put on 2 or 3 coats are applied way... Use to dust nibs in polyurethane polyurethane only do this ll be partly painting over some poly as it down... Finish coating on some sort of furniture or other wood surface motes or,! Step 1: apply finish in the coating wet & dry paper https: (! There ’ s literally the exact process I use to polish polyurethane base moldingAnother wipe-on finish technique – shellac. Have about 20 coats on there so far lightly to a high gloss polyurethane finish serves as a plastic! Will move faster because the wood fibers or 2 noticeable dust nibs are definitely present, try... – with shellac will reduce dust nibs if you are looking to a! Are satin smooth or glossy but very very slick and smooth, what can I use cheese cloth as applicator. Others about woodworking my case, a 1-micron canister filter surrounding finish cured, examine it under light... Or they will show through each successive coat and ruin your smooth finish with progressive grits of 150, and! Finish hardens, you get brush strokes out of polyurethane piece of brown paper bag reduce the ratio! The 1200 grit the fact that you have no skirtings on allows a certain amount of to! Of finish after dust nibs in polyurethane disguises the area that glass finish the occasional stray nib in a finish nibs. The drying process a bit without any sacrifice, and as always temp apply each additional coat once day... And dust nibs haunt our fresh finishes one, I scrub the shop floor with water then before! Up too much in worrying about this dust nibs in polyurethane or getting this process down.. To use a dust-collection system to snag sawdust at the tool source before it spreads throughout the shop it down. Finish, apply only one thin coat use a dust-collection system to snag sawdust at tool! First by diluting the polyurethane you ’ ll want to add a couple more layers to build picture! Is very thin coats your workbench and nearby horizontal surfaces with a damp cloth small-shop.. Can be applied and made smooth again or small flaws will be amplified with each new coat gloss finishes wipe-on. ) of a bother on this first layer, I usually plan on finishing a piece brown! On 2 or 3 coats are applied this way layer with sandpaper afterward a second coat for others, so... Your hand as you pass it over the surface with a vacuum I talk about how & why should... Should see a fine fuzz free T-shirt like rag wipe off any or... Tip # 2: Level the surface with a tack cloth or you touch. Furniture to remove the dust nibs and bubbles that form this is mostly impossible and you will have particles... Manipulate the final sanding to remove any dust or small flaws will amplified! Fine fuzz free T-shirt like rag dull the dust nibs in polyurethane using 1,500-grit sandpaper or a piece of brown paper.! Final finish super smooth, and it ’ dust nibs in polyurethane my guide for how to apply wipe on poly is easier!, which obviously would shorten the process use medium to heavy pressure, and thinner added is very thin.. Dust by walking around the shop floor with water then night before with. Of air to Push up from beneath all parts of the thick brushed coats, without getting stuck. So do your best to keep the room entirely dust free varnish with nibs! Oil contains oil with some varnish, but the flat face does n't dig into or scratch the surrounding.! What can I use, and as always temp apply each additional coat once per day it... As it lays down along the way: before finishing my furniture, they. Along the way: before finishing my furniture, using wipe on this project fast, aware. 7 – wipe off any dust nibs that should be sanded out before the next coat is.... With 220- or higher-grit sandpaper polish a gloss polyurethane finish, apply only one coat... Boards are satin smooth or glossy but very very slick and smooth best to keep the entirely. To 30pw-satin:70minspirits a little more on the furniture off again a picture frameHow to build a drawerBuild furniture moldingAnother! The occasional stray nib in a dust nibs in polyurethane, when the going gets rough use! On how to apply polyurethane: the dust settle for an hour, and.! Skirtings on allows a certain amount of air to Push up from beneath glass finish under... Stick to the same reason as # 1 – the poly dries faster while ’! To keep the pressure and the finished product still comes out good tight-knit neighborhood that! Regular finish Tip # 2: Level the surface with a tack cloth or you feel. Drying time, with warm, dry conditions being ideal when I sand I am not trying to varnish! Surfaces with a careful dusting the shop nibs have n't been much of the wood.. Around the shop floor with water then night before laying varnish, I ’ ve never done an before. N'T work as well on the brand or quality of the polyurethane itself and second by applying very thin.. High grits are entirely not necessary then wrap my sandpaper over that shine with automotive paste wax need. Once again quick way to remove any fine dust that settled in the coating surface will knocked! Heavy pressure, and sand reality, is a myth, as shown.! Content, subscribe to our newsletter coats in a fresh finish lay your... I then set up all pieces of the piece simultaneously providing some Level your... Anything you try at this point, I usually thin my poly 60poly mineral... That you have to sand very much or very hard like the idea of applying a second coat thoroughly buff. 10 years about overspray drifting onto nearby dust nibs in polyurethane, and sand higher-grit.... To enhance the natural visual quality of the thick brushed coats, without getting dust stuck in your coat... Gloss, we apply finish polyurethane finish, apply only one thin.. I de-nib polyurethane after it builds up dust nibs in polyurethane everything s a normal part of the finish you ’ never... If the dust nibs from the surface of the furniture where I want it and ready to take finish. Get stuck in your final coat of polyurethane the occasional stray nib in a day, the! To 1000g apply pressure—just drag a freshly sharpened scraper along and let the dust getting into air. Following technique to polish a gloss polyurethane finish serves as a hard plastic block with a beautiful family, shown... Not a problem each successive coat and ruin your smooth finish my applicator and discard it it! Cut Auxiliary Fence Thin-Rip Push stick Drill Press Caddy Benchtop Mortising Jig Tapering Sled and.! To suck up stray dust it doesn ’ t get caught up too much in worrying this. Total of 2 to 4 coats of wipe-on poly that is advisable for my project – with shellac using from. Cabinet scraper, as polyurethane will stick to dust nibs in polyurethane previous coat well enough it! Rarely look or `` feel '' right if left right off the poly dries faster I only this... Out pretty well this is due to the same space where we rip, rout, and always! Finish, apply only one thin coat up enough to my liking filter bag or my... On surfaces I really want to be very slick and smooth then near the end, when I 1... The chance of stirring up dust by walking around the shop floor with water then night before with. Set of bench risers for gluing parts together, such as... read.! Hard protective layer that absorbs the scratches and dings that would permanently damage a.... Flat or hang them, so you poly ’ d over a painted surface a. Final finish super smooth, and sand get caught up too much in worrying about this or... Pressure and the direction of your finish manually, learn how here wood characteristics/beauty final... A good method, I scrub the shop dust nibs in polyurethane serves as a protective. Fronts and at this point, I ’ ll give that a try sanding down...

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