Finish Swirls or Streaks

Re: Finish Swirls or Streaks

Barry Irby

I am guessing here so think abut it before you mess up something on my advice. I think you are either letting the finish get too dry and quitting or you are not applying enough coats and finish and rubbing it in until it gets nice and even and smooth. Keep adding finish until it really nice and smooth.

Re: Finish Swirls or Streaks *LINK*

Dick Coers

Are you saying you use a special finish, or the Dale Nish finishing method? I think you are missing a step if you are using his method. Dale applied a thin layer of lacquer first making sure it had extra applied where it soaked in, then at least two coats of Waterlox, then a wax. Sounds to me like you are taking a couple short cuts and not getting enough finish on the wood.


https://www.woodturnerscatalog.com/Video/326

Re: Finish Swirls or Streaks

john lucas

why not just buff out the streaks. I use the Beale system. I try to not get any streaks in my finishes but i'm certainly not perfect and they happen. I just buff them smooth. If they are really bad like runs then I will sand first and then buff.

Re: Finish Swirls or Streaks

Doug Reynolds

Sealed first with the 50/50 thinned Deft Clear Wood Finish. Waited at least one day. Applied at least three coats of Arm-R-Seal with a grey Scotch Bright pad as per video sanding between coats with fresh 320 grit Mirka sponge sanding pads. Again, I waited at least one day between coats.

I am using gloss Arm-R-Seal which may make the swirls more visible. I can see them develop when I wipe off the fresh finish with the t-shirt.

I then rub out and dull the finish with four ought steel wool and wax which reduces the swirls. I’m just trying to figure out how to prevent them in the first place.

Re: Finish Swirls or Streaks

Doug Reynolds

Dick: Sorry, yes I am using the Dale Nish "system" as per the video. No steps omitted. All the finishes are brand new from Rockler in Seattle. Freshly mixed then applied.

John: These are not runs, just tiny swirl marks around the bowl as it turns on the lathe and I apply and wipe off finish. Look just like and about the size of the t-shirt's weave. I have the Beall system. Do you start with Tripoli, White Diamond or, wax? How long do you wait for the finish to cure before you buff?

Re: Finish Swirls or Streaks

Don Stephan

In somewhat similar fashion, I wipe off excess my wiping varnish with a clean paper towel, holding the bowl with a paper towel in my other hand. Sometimes I see printing of the paper towel weave on the surface of the bowl where my left hand was gripping it. By this time the paper towel I am using to wipe off the excess wiping varnish has absorbed a bit of finish, so I'll lightly wipe over the paper towel printing to leave a very thin layer of additional varnish, and the printing is gone. I wipe over the bowl with very light pressure and keep the paper towel moving at a good clip.

You might also check with General Finishes.

Re: Finish Swirls or Streaks

john lucas

First off I have never tried that finish so this is a guess. Generally when you get streaks it means you either didn't wipe enough off, or it's drying faster than it can level. I use retarders in lacquer to slow down the drying and give it time to self level. The other time I get streaks is when the finish is getting old and starting to gel. it's at that in between stage where it still looks good and seems to apply OK but will leave streaks where a fresh batch doesn't. But that's just with the finishes I've used or tried.

Re: Finish Swirls or Streaks

Dick Coers

I'd suggest you are getting the equivalent of over brushing varnish. As mentioned the finish has started to dry and you continue to spin it on the lathe. Stop spinning sooner and keep the finish wetter.

Re: Finish Swirls or Streaks

Doug Reynolds

Per a professional finisher and book author, I am leaving too much finish on the bowl. You folks have mentioned this already. Need to wipe off so it does not look wet. I feel like I am wiping all the finish off that I just put on but, he says not so.

Re: Finish Swirls or Streaks

Dick Coers

Well there you go. You found an expert.