Woodworking 101

[Nodlew]

I need help. Is there a wood tick out there that can give me the basics on sanding, staining and sealing (polyurethane)? My specific project is a turkey plaque.

I can think of the obvious, sanding with fine grit, mineral spirits to remove dust, more/longer stain the darker, poly-let dry-sand, redo, etc...but I am sure I am missing something or someone has a great tip(s)

Thanks

[huntinsonovagun]

Re: Woodworking 101

Sand lightly after the stain dries, seal it, sand the seal lightly, stain again if it needs it, then finish it.

[Strut_Buster]

Re: Woodworking 101

pick op a few books. That can't hurt.

[jcwa]

Re: Woodworking 101

This is the way I do it. Using a hand sander, sand with the grain of the wood with 150 grit paper. (Donot sand across the grain) Then I use 220 grit paper to get a smooth surface. Then I use a tac cloth to remove all dust. Then I use a sanding sealer, this will give an even coat when applying the stain. Once the sealer has dryed, apply your stain with a foam brush. After couple of minutes wipe off the surface and see if it is the color you are looking for. If you want a darker color just add another coat after the last one has dryed. when using polyurethane apply a lite coat of polyurethane with a foam brush and sand lightly with 220 to 280 grit sandpaper after it has dryed. Apply 3 to 4 coats and sand in between each coat. Donot sand after you apply the forth coat unless it needs a fifth coat.

[Tominator]

Re: Woodworking 101

[ QUOTE ]

Is there a wood tick

[/ QUOTE ]

Don't know if I qualify as a wood tick, but I've been known to hang out with our shop teacher and re-finish a few gun stocks. Here's what we do:

Progress in steps of sanding from 100 all the way down to 500 grit (depending on how smooth you want your wood. Oak doesn't need to go down to 500 IMHO). When you're done with all the sanding use some tack cloth lightly, then blast the rest with compressed air. Make sure your hands are dust free and lay on a coat of poly sealer. Let it stand a day, then either wet sand with 500 grit, or steel wool it, and then coat with another 3 or 4 coats of regular poly depending on how much you want to build up, at least 3 coats I'd say.

One other thing I'd say is that be careful using water based poly. While clean up is much easier, the water based poly will raise the grain of the wood, especially oak.

Good luck. Let's see some pics when you're done.

[Newarcher]

Re: Woodworking 101

Here is what I did to stain a stock on my rifle....

Start with 60 (I had to get layers of grease off) grit sandpaper and ultimately ending up wetsanding with somewhere in the neighborhood. Wet sanding adds time because you gotta let the wood dry well before staining but it raises the wood grain tremendously and saves work on the back end.

Once you get it so smooth that wet sanding will no longer raise the wood grain, clean it with the cheesecloth, compressed air, etc as mentioned above.

Personally, I would use Minwax Red Mohogany....a beautiful placque color. Very elegant. Put on a coat and then let it dry. Put on another coat and let it dry. Lightly sand again to get the wood grain laid down again. I find that sanding after the first coat sometimes ends up with patches that make it back to the wood because of poor adhesion. Sanding after the second coat generally doesn't allow you to sand back to bare wood and end up with spotting. Get the darkness as you would have it.

Now the fun part. Many guys will buy spray cans of poly because they don't want brush strokes. I say that is blasphemy! I brush on a light coat of a very good poly (you can even make your own). Here is the trick...you simply lean the item against a wall or something to let the brush marks pull out via gravity. If it is something I really want to turn out well and it is small enough, I will attach it to the chuck of a drill and put the drill in a vice on very low to let the wood spin until dry. I then sand it very lightly with a very very fine sandpaper and coat it again. I will put up to 10 coats if I want furniture grade finish.

Good luck,

New

[archerjg]

Re: Woodworking 101

When finishing a piece of wood I sand with 120 grit first and then I wipe the wood down with a tack cloth. I then go to 220 grit paper and I sand with the grain until it is glass smooth. I wipe it done again with a tack cloth and I use a foam bruch and apply the stain wait til it dries and then sand lightly and repeat. I then use a good brush and put on the first coat of polyurethane, I prefer Helmsman Spar Urethane as it resists water and sunlight damage. I put the first coat on and let it dry, lightly sand and repeat for at least three coats. Hope that this helps.

Archerjg

[Nodlew]

Re: Woodworking 101

Thanks to everyone for all your responses and the great information. I continue to be amazed at what an awesome resource this forum is. I will keep you all udpated and post some pictures of the finished product

Thanks again,

Nodlew