[Woodcarver] Re: Mirror wood finish

[Victor Hamburger]

> From: "John G" <gris7 at juno.com>



> I want to put a finish on a flat wood surface that is as smooth as glass. 

Almost like a mirror. Does anyone have any tips on how to do this.

John,

Envirotex has been mentioned to you already but it is a 2 part finish that is 
pretty thick.  It looks like plastic to my mind but is tough and drys flat.  To 
get rid of air bubbles that might form in it when wet, prick them with a pin and 
breathe on the spot as you do that, the CO2 in your breathe helps smooth it out.

A better finish, with more work, is multiple coats of Polyurethane varnish, high 
gloss.  Let each coat dry, lightly sand to get rid of bumps and dust in the 
finish, and apply the next coat.  3-4 coats this way will give you a good 
surface.  Once you get that, let dry several days so it is fully cured, even a 
week is not to long to wait.  Then wet sand with water with a drop of dish 
detergent in it, using 400 grit wet/dry sand paper on a cork sanding block. 
Then 600 grit, 1000/1500/2000 grit.  You can get them at a good auto parts store.

Once you have a truly smooth surface, use 4/0 rottenstone (from a paint store) 
to do the final rub out with water and rottenstone.  You can control the sheen 
from smooth/dull to smooth/shiny.

You need to be careful NOT to sand thru the corners of the surface.  If you do, 
apply two more coats of poly and start sanding again more carefully.

Hope this helps.	Vic H