AW #131.pdf - Karatunov.net

About the only mistake you can make during this
step is being too stingy with the poly'urethane.
Covering the surface quickly and uniformly is most
important. Brushing direction doesn't matter, except
at the ends. There I brush parallel to *re edges, to
apply the polyurethane evenly and minimize drips.
After using the low-angle light to make sure the
section is completely covered, I level the
poly'urethane with end-to-end strokes. The brush
wicks up excess finish during this process, so before
each stroke, I unload the brush by gently pressing it
inside the measuring cup's rim. I use an especially
light touch at the beginning of each stroke, to avoid
leaving a pool of varnish.
I don't brush out the last couple inches of the sec-
tion, because I'll be brushing back into this portion
later. \A/hen the raking light shows that all the brush
marks run with the grain, I switch to a dry foam brush
to clean the adjacent long edge (Photo 10). Most bris-
tle brushes deposit too much polyurethane for this
job, creating as many drips and sags as they remove.
I move to the other side of the table to brush the
next section, so I'm not leaning over the wet finish
(Photo 11). I cut back into the wet polyr,rrethane as
soon as possible. The longer it sets up, the more
likely it is to show brush marks. I check my work in
the raking light before moving on to the last section,
and then again when that section-including its
adjacent long edge-is completed.
\Arhen the top looks good in raking light, I com-
plete the job by cleaning the ends with the roller
and dry foam brush (Photo 12). Then I walk away.
Experience has taught me to leave tiny imperfec-
tions. They look bad when the varnish is wet, but
they virtually disappear when the varnish is dry.
4.'rh -q .F -r.-.+.
q__
--.*"*p -\&,,,
Removing Debris
Inevitably, dust, hair, bristles or bugs will lodge in
the wet finish. I use the edge of the brush to lift
them off the surface as soon as I see them-it's too
late if the poly has started to set up. After removing
the offender, I brush lightly end-to-end to eliminate
pock marks left by the process.
86 American \{oodworker ocroBER 2oo7
*o
Pour enough
, .r pslyurethane
to complete the
job into a clean
container. I use a
plastic measuring
cup. lt's light
in weight, easy
to hold and it's
wide opening
allows plenty of
room for the
brush.
.
4
Make
'i rpolyurethane
easier to brush by
adding Penetrol. a
conditioner for
oil-based paint
and varnish.
Penetrol extends
the open time,
increases flowablilty
and
improves leveling,
all without thinning
the finish.
Start finishing
the top by
priming the end
grain. so drips
from brushing
the top won't
leave permanent
marks. A trim
roller quickly
applies an even,
drip-free coat of
polyu retha ne.
t( Finish the top
\. nin stages. Brush
on the
polyurethane in
sections that are
about 12-in.-wide.
Your goals are to
cover each section
quickly and uniformly,
using a
minimum number
of brush stokes.
Brushing diagonally
across the grain
helps to evenly
spread the
polyu rethane.