Expert: joseph DeMartino - 11/5/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hello,

Can you please tell me if I should use a brush or cloth to put my clear coat after I got the stain to dry?? I found out the hard way to use a cheese cloth for staining and not a brush/form brush. Anyways I finally got the right color stain and got it to dry. Now I'm ready to put the clear coat, PLEASE PLEASE tell me any advise on how to apply. Do I use a cloth and rub it in like the stain or use a brush like a paint brush? Would it leave brush lines? I don't want to start all over again, please help.


ANSWER: hi kris
   application depends on what it is you're going to apply.if it is,for instance,a shellac then you'll use a brush and sand down in between coats or you can apply with a cloth as it is you sand down in between coats.if it's a urethane then you use a brush as well,can get away using
polyether.if you are going to use a varnish then i use nothing but a raccoon brush as it is a brush that flows very nicely and does not leave drag lines.i know this is'nt as specific as you'd have liked but it's difficult without telling me exactly what you'll use i hope at least i've been a little helpful.if i can help you some more please let me know
         be well
         Joe

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Joe,

thank you! I'll try a raccoon brush. I got one more question or two. What do you think about using a spray can for a clear coat? Will that work just as good? No brush needed right?? Also, let me get this straight, after I use a clear coat and it has dried I can use a fine sand paper to sand down to get it smooth, then apply more clear coat? Sorry to be a pain. I really need to get it right.

Answer
hi kris
   the answer to your question is yes and no.absolutely,it is if it's something you've done before.if not, then i'd be a little tentative on your doing a piece that sounds very important to you.if you still want to go on then this is what i suggest you do.however,if you are going to go on with this then this is how you go about it.what you should do first is get comfortable with the idea of doing it.purchase an additional can of what you're going to use as well as a small piece of wood to use as a sort of bull's eye.this is how you'll apply.
     when you initiate the application hold the can at approx.8-10 inchs from the piece you're doing.begin to spray to the left of the piece,not on it,then slowly begin to move across the piece slowly but deliberately until you're completely off of the piece the immediately return the other way,again slowly and deliberately,making sure to cover the previous coat with a small portion of the one you're applying now.continue to do this until coating fully applied.to be sure
that your piece is completely dry,leave it to dry and harden for a day and a half or so.then take some 400 grit paper,yes i use this high a grit,wet it a bit and gently rub down the piece
it will smooth out incredibly.then,you'll take a wet cloth to remove the residue left behind.
you'll see that the final finish will have dulled some so what you do is apply a finish of the only polish that i use which is,as funny as it may sound,a car polish.it works marvelously.the name of it is Meguiar's deep crystal carnauba wax.it will bring up the finish really well.i know that this all sounds very involved but my feeling is if i'm to do something,to do it correctly or not at all.i hope i've explained this well enough to you.good luck,you should do just fine
         be well
         Joe