Wood finishing question

[LACamper]

I stained something and grabbed a can of varnish off the shelf. Unfortunately, I didn't realize it was glossy until it was too late. Not really happy with the finish. Any option other than stripping?

 

[JCcypress]

If you can find the same varnish in a less glossy finish, you could try to sand with high grit and recoat with the less glossy finish.

 

[tallwalker]

If it in real varnish, problem is it takes so long to really dry hard enough to sand without globbing up so wait a little. Then try and get the same brand varnish in semi so it will be friendly with the base coat. Cut just a little with thinner before you recoat. I know with lacquer (on guitars) I always spray gloss and if I want satin I wait till it dries and rub it out with super fine steel wool instead of polishing. I suppose if you wait long enough for the varnish to really harden up you could do the same thing

 

[Crimson]

I did the same thing with a gun stock im working on. I wasn't sure how glossy I wanted it so started with a gloss and wasn't happy with it. i sanded with 180 grit and applied a semi gloss. It's almost done and I like the appearance much better

 

[enutees]

What brand of finish did you use? I've heard poly, shellac, and many other finishes called varnish but they aren't the same.

 

[Crimson]

 

[Magdump]

No problem at all. Steel wool though in 00 or med to fine. No sandpaper. Stay off the corners or edges. Take it down pretty good. Make sure you don't have any lines or dimples that are still shining. Wipe it with a cloth barely dampened in mineral spirits and dry with a clean one. Blow off any lint or dust and coat with the satin finish. I've done this more than once and was very pleased with the results.

 

[LACamper]

I used Polyurethane, not true varnish.

I'll try some OO steel wool first and see how it looks next weekend. I'll post pictures eventually... Thanks guys!

 

[TooOld]

All you have to do is take the sheen off to give the second coat a grip.

 

[enutees]

I used Polyurethane, not true varnish.

I'll try some OO steel wool first and see how it looks next weekend. I'll post pictures eventually... Thanks guys!

With Poly you can definitely recoat after sanding with a lower gloss finish. Sanding alone could make it better but it's very difficult in my opinion without the scratch patterns showing through the finish unless you use a really fine grit which tends to make it shine more.

 

[JCcypress]

With Poly you can definitely recoat after sanding with a lower gloss finish. Sanding alone could make it better but it's very difficult in my opinion without the scratch patterns showing through the finish unless you use a really fine grit which tends to make it shine more.

^^^ Wood Jedi.

 

[enutees]

^^^ Wood Jedi.

Lol thanks. Hope to get the new shop done one of these days and start making stuff again. Shooting gets in the way.