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Question
QUESTION: Hi, when I put on the second coat I got bubbles when it started to dry. Do i have to sand the whole top of the piece or can i just sand the areas with the bubbles and then put on my third coat?
ANSWER: Hi J, bubbles is not a good thing and can mean some type of contamination that surfaced up through the first coat....what is your finishing schedule so far? (Prep, stain, etc). Bubbles often reach down through the whole fiolm layer as well, meaning that you won't be able to sand them away....
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QUESTION: Hi thanks for your reply so quickly. My schedule is sand, stain, let dry for 24 hours, then first coat of poly, sand, wipe with clean dry rag, then apply next coat. what its seems to me is that its just little tiny air bubbles from the poly being applied. the bubbles are very small. they do not occur in very many places, maybe three or four on the whole piece. they don't hold any air,they looked like they popped when they dry. what is my next step? thanks again, JV
Did you start with new wood, or a stripped, clean surface? This sounds like"pin-holing" which, again, is usually a sign of contamination of the surface with wax, silicone, grease, oil, etc......they will extend down through the layer of finish to the stain and you likely won't be able to sand them away without risking sanding into the stain layer...also, one must be careful to stir the poly really well before and during application (when working on a larger project), and never shake a can of clear finish...even after 24 hours, some stain, ( like especially Minwax) way still not be dry if it was applied over ANY remnants of old finish or other contamination....
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Answers by Expert:
Greg Scholl
Expertise
Questions on Woodworking, wood finishing and refinishing of all kinds, repairing furniture and wooden objects, Architectural details, Woodturning, carving, tool usage, product usage, some chemistry as it applies to woodworking and related interests,cabinet making and furniture construction/design, etc. I have experience with all manners of colorants, finishes, paints, stains, dyes, glazes, and coatings, wood species recognition and usage,tool recommendations, blade types and recommendation,techniques and methods for many Woodworking related issues, etc.
Experience
Fine furniture restorer and cabinet maker for over 30 years,serving high end Antique dealers, Interior designers, Collectors in the CT area. Consulting for area Painting/Decorating and Building contractors on non painting issues..(staining, wood prep.,clear finishing, floor restoration and architectural detail restoration and repair, etc.) Sold, built, serviced, setup Home, Industrial, and Commercial stationary woodworking tools for a major tool retailer in CT. for three years, sold hand and power tools , provided knowledge, parts replacement, service, and on site service, Trade show Demo, and training as well.
Publications
Published in Fine Woodworking Magazine (12/97), included on Fine Woodworkings first "Best of Fine Woodworking" CD-ROM (2002) ...("27 year compilation of expert know-how")
Education/Credentials
Art School at Silvermine Guild in Norwalk, CT., 9 year apprenticeship in a European run Cabinet and Restoration shop in CT., various classes on subjects having to do with the field. Seminars from major Tool manufacturers, Skil/Bosch, Delta, Powermatic, Ritter, Porter cable, Milwaukee, Dewalt/B&Decker, Performax.
Past/Present Clients
Many varied clients including work on Martha Stewarts' Westport, CT. show house, many fine Antique dealers and private collectors in and around Fairfield County and in Woodbury, CT. (the Antiques capital of CT.), Golden Age of Trucking Museum, Wilton Historical Society.
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