varnishing - final coat

[grahama]

Just completing the final coat of traditional varnishing later today - wash board and sliding hatch which are at home in a dust free (ish!) garage. Done all the usual - stripped right back - p600 grade rub down between coats etc. My question is prior to the rub down with p600 grade wet and dry the surface always seems a bit rough to touch, once lightly sanded with p600 it feels very smooth but what should I be doing to the final coat to make it feel smooth?. Will a rub down with say p1500 leave 'white' sanded marks in the final coat, I supect it will in which case how to I remove the 'whitening' marks?.


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[Forbsie]

I've no idea!!!

Just thought I'd bring this back to the top to give one of our resident Varnish Gurus a chance to answer.

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[ajc]

When varnishing (or painting of any type on wood) the first coat which should be thinned, I thin 50/50 1st coat, will raise the "nap" of the wood no matter how smooth it is sanded prior to 1st coat. We use de- nibbing pads to rub down when absolutely dry which will show white streaks/ spots. De-nib these out as they are high spots, and you will feel the finish come smooth again. Continue this process until you achieve the required finish. Now sit back , relax and enjoy until the next time. In my opinion super fine finishes on a yacht are not practical unless you are not going to use it or expose to the sun!

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