Finishing on a coffee table

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Ramon Amira

Posts: 1025
Joined: Oct. 14 2009
From: New York City

Finishing on a coffee table

One of my students – (a budding luthier by the way) built a coffee table for me, which really is to hold a big TV, and so it won’t get much wear. It is made of inch and three quarter solid maple! 60X30. Must weigh at least 150 pounds. No stain - natural color.

Anyway, he gave it three coats of oil based polyurethane, but it has a matte finish, and I wanted a glossy finish. I don’t want any more poly, (because it’s liable to ask for a cracker) really because I have fumes already, but I would like to make the top glossy. I’m thinking of clear wax (clear furniture wax?) and buff it. Can I do that over poly? If so, any brand recommendations, and how to apply? I have pieces of flannel and some old tee shirts.

Can I get a high gloss finish? Appreciate any help and advice. Any caveats?

Also I would hope to be able to use some kind of wax that cleans up without too much in the way of chemicals.

Thanks –
Ramon

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Classical and flamenco guitars from Spain Ramon Amira Guitars

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 21 2012 15:27:11

Leñador

Posts: 5237
Joined: Jun. 8 2012
From: Los Angeles

RE: Finishing on a coffee table (in reply to Ramon Amira)

All poly based finishes start as gloss and something gets added in the factory or in the field to make it matte, in other words I don't think you'll have any luck buffing it to gloss. Your best bet would be to strip it with acetone or mechanically and start over. Putting different finishes on top of other finishes is a recipe for unexpected outcomes, things don't bond to each other, chemical reactions happen, I've seen some goofy stuff. As far as what to use after you get it stripped I think any brand of oil based lacquer is ideal for furniture. Ideal application would be through a real spray gun but the spray cans would work as well. You may want to practice your technique on some scrap pieces till you get yourself a consistent finish.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 21 2012 15:40:33

Ramon Amira

Posts: 1025
Joined: Oct. 14 2009
From: New York City

RE: Finishing on a coffee table (in reply to Ramon Amira)

Thanks Len–

The table is already in a location where I can’t work on it, and it’s way too heavy to move. It’s just for a TV, so it doesn’t have to wear well or look perfect, just look shiny. As it is now, especially since it’s natural, it almost doesn’t look finished.

Is there some clear furniture wax that I can just put on and buff to give some reasonable kind of “wet” look or glossy.

Or would it be easier to just put on some clear furniture polish and be done with it? Would that give it a glossy look?

Thanks –
Ramon

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Classical and flamenco guitars from Spain Ramon Amira Guitars

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 21 2012 16:19:48

Leñador

Posts: 5237
Joined: Jun. 8 2012
From: Los Angeles

RE: Finishing on a coffee table (in reply to Ramon Amira)

Your big problem is that what's on it now is oil based so you have to use something oils based on top of it. Maybe something like this:
http://valtecindustries.com/p-672A6.html?gclid=CP6-2dKCrLQCFQ_hQgodJ3IAMA
Anything that says "Oil based" and "semi-Gloss or High Gloss".

I can nearly guarantee that a regular wax, or anything water based will not bond well and will flake off or discolor. You can try it but it'll be a big mess to clean if it doesn't work.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 21 2012 16:44:43

Jim Kirby

Posts: 149
Joined: Jul. 14 2011
From: Newark, DE, USA

RE: Finishing on a coffee table (in reply to Ramon Amira)

I thought this thread was going to be a comment on where I do my French polishing, while watching TV

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 21 2012 18:46:16

RobJe

Posts: 731
Joined: Dec. 16 2006
From: UK

RE: Finishing on a coffee table (in reply to Ramon Amira)

Get a sheet of plate glass cut to size and the edges ground smooth to fit on the top - you don't need to get the thickest as it is well supported.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 21 2012 18:57:06

Sean

Posts: 672
Joined: Jan. 20 2011
From: Canada

RE: Finishing on a coffee table (in reply to Ramon Amira)

I wouldn't worry about it looking unfinished right now, the maple will start taking on a more golden hue as it ages.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 22 2012 0:28:45

Peter Tsiorba

Posts: 130
Joined: Oct. 27 2009
From: Portland, Oregon Pacific Northwest

RE: Finishing on a coffee table (in reply to Ramon Amira)

Ramon,

Yes, you can french polish on top of poly, there won't be any compatibility issues. In fact, shellac is the "go to" barrier coat amongst professional finishers. If there is any incompatibility in finishes, shellac is applied in between those two substances, solving compatibility problems. You can french polish your teeth, if you want, and it'll stick just fine! :) :)

If you use de-waxed shellac, there will be less concern about white rings left by a wet glass left on the surface, for example.

Happy holidays!

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Peter Tsiorba
Classical-Flamenco-Guitars
tsiorba.com

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 22 2012 0:54:39

estebanana

Posts: 9351
Joined: Oct. 16 2009

RE: Finishing on a coffee table (in reply to Peter Tsiorba)

quote:

You can french polish your teeth, if you want, and it'll stick just fine! :) :)

Perhaps guitar makers can make extra money on the side keeping teeth shiny.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 22 2012 1:30:53

keith

Posts: 1108
Joined: Sep. 29 2009
From: Back in Boston

RE: Finishing on a coffee table (in reply to Ramon Amira)

carnuba wax might do the trick--sure makes cars look shiney. carnuba wax is the hard paste wax found in the auto supply stores. why not kill 2 birds with one stone. simoniz makes a product called liquid glass that received 100% 5 stars at amazon.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 22 2012 9:34:35

Ramon Amira

Posts: 1025
Joined: Oct. 14 2009
From: New York City

RE: Finishing on a coffee table (in reply to Ramon Amira)

Well, I bought something called HOWARD “Butcher Block Conditioner.” Ingredients – “Food grade mineral oil stabilized with Vitamin E; beeswax; and carnauba wax.” You “wipe it on, let it sit for twenty minutes, then wipe it off, and then buff.”

How does this sound to anyone?

Thanks – and Happy Holidays
Ramon

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Classical and flamenco guitars from Spain Ramon Amira Guitars

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 25 2012 4:41:54

keith

Posts: 1108
Joined: Sep. 29 2009
From: Back in Boston

RE: Finishing on a coffee table (in reply to Ramon Amira)

ramon--the nice thing about wax is if it does not do the trick you can always take it to the car wash and run it through a few times and it will wash off --unlike those miracle products that can withstand 100 washes.

if the product says it produces a high shine you should be good to go.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 25 2012 8:27:12