Thread: G'day folks...help with old english oak desk please.

Originally Posted by Woodwould

It's what my missus says to me when I open my eyes in the morning and see her staring down at me.

Well at least she's still speaking to you.

OK...quick question.......after my 3 coats of shellac, rubbing back with with either 000 s/w or 400 to 600 wet and dry. Which is the preferred, and how much 'rubbing back'.....how will I know I've rubbed back enough to then be ready for more shellac? Also, thinking about using a cotton pad v's brush for the rest of my coats. Ideas? Lawry

Originally Posted by Lawry01

OK...quick question.......after my 3 coats of shellac, rubbing back with with either 000 s/w or 400 to 600 wet and dry. Which is the preferred, and how much 'rubbing back'.....how will I know I've rubbed back enough to then be ready for more shellac? Also, thinking about using a cotton pad v's brush for the rest of my coats. Ideas? Lawry

You've now arrived at a subjective point: Does it not look deep and shiny enough yet? Is there enough polish on the wood? Do you just cut it with steel wool now and wax it?

Depending on its original finish, the result of stripping it and the cut (concentration) of the shellac, the wood might still appear hungry, or it may be full up. I'd suggest cutting it back – with both wool and paper, separately – in areas that don't show too much and see what you think.

Hmmmmm..OK..have done a rub back, made up more shellac, and found on application a lot of it has finished cloudy/ milky , as though its taking the colour out of the wood? What is this, and what do I do please? Frustrating!

Originally Posted by Lawry01

Hmmmmm..OK..have done a rub back, made up more shellac, and found on application a lot of it has finished cloudy/ milky , as though its taking the colour out of the wood? What is this, and what do I do please? Frustrating!

It's known as 'bloom' and is the result of moisture being trapped in the polish. You can either cease polishing while the weather is cool and damp, or heat the work area. If you very gently heat the bloomed areas locally with a hairdryer (held a reasonable distance from the polish so as not to melt it), the bloom will disappear.

If you stop now, the bloom will likely partially disappear on its own with change in the weather, but some patches may remain. A further application of polish (or a wipe over with a cloth dampened with meths) will disperse the bloom.

Ahh yes..THANKS WW! Today is the first day of some very damp weather here, and our garage does hold the dampness! Also, I noticed after leaving for a couple of hours a fair bit of the 'bloom' had indeed dissipated! So...its off to the bathroom for wifes hairdryer (I no longer have hair!) and get on with the job! (I was VERY concerned that I might have to do more severe rubbing back. ) So. onward & upward..hope to be posting some finished product pics soon! And hoping for no further issues. Thanks again, Lawry.

Go very gingerly with the dryer... sort of swipe it across from a distance and only move closer if you're certain it's not clearing the bloom. Never point the dryer directly at the fresh polish!

thanks WW..bloom now appears to have all but gone. Will probably leave it till tomorrow for next coats. Thinking I might heat up the garage a little first to push out any dampness. L

Ah the old hair dryer trick.

Several things come to mind. One a show called Get Smart, showing my age there. The same thing can be used when trying to get bubbles out of epoxy finish in fishing rod as it turns slowly. And what sort of hair dryer did they have when polishing in the past.

Originally Posted by Christos

And what sort of hair dryer did they have when polishing in the past.

All cabinetmakers' workshops would have had a stove for heating glue, warming groundwork for veneering and keeping the place warm and dry for polishing.

I used to have a honking great stove in the workshop into which I stuffed tons of old furniture. It was the best use of Victorian furniture I know of.

Ah don't I know about that problem, as noted by WW and Christos, yep some warmth is the key to sorting that out. I think I had previously mentioned that for us down south in the colder climes, the old clouding (bloom) problem can occur, simply due to the cold (and probably moisture in the atmosphere). Keeping your workshop dry and reasonably warm is definitely the means of preventing this problem.

If the hairdryer trick hadn't worked then yes I am afraid a light keying back would have been needed. Glad it wasn't.

Hopefully by now given it is a few days later all is well, and you are back on track. If you can post a few snaps of where the desk is at now, I suspect we might be able to help confirm what is needed next. I agree with WW that all going well you probably are ready (or close to) the 0000 super fine steel rub back and wax polishing stage.

Looking forward to your progress Lawry.

Well hi there HC....you've found me online while I await further 'drying' after lighly rubbing back my 6/7th coat ..The bloom did in fact dissappear (grateful!!) and my wife says I didnt let it dry enough after rubbing back with 600 dipped in water & dteregent..even though it looked dry to the eye! One can even learn from her! (shouldnt say this too loudly..it WILL go to her head!) I'm thinking of putting another 3 coats or so , so that the finish is just that little bit more of a sheen, without feeling the texture of the grain so much. Happy to post pics now, but wonder whether its better later this afternoon after the next lot of shellac? Right now its in 'rubbed back 'form.and DRYING!! We have a slighly warmer but windy day, so garage is open...bloom, bloom go away!!

Originally Posted by Lawry01

Well hi there HC....you've found me online while I await further 'drying' after lighly rubbing back my 6/7th coat ..The bloom did in fact dissappear (grateful!!) and my wife says I didnt let it dry enough after rubbing back with 600 dipped in water & dteregent..even though it looked dry to the eye! One can even learn from her! (shouldnt say this too loudly..it WILL go to her head!) I'm thinking of putting another 3 coats or so , so that the finish is just that little bit more of a sheen, without feeling the texture of the grain so much. Happy to post pics now, but wonder whether its better later this afternoon after the next lot of shellac? Right now its in 'rubbed back 'form.and DRYING!! We have a slighly warmer but windy day, so garage is open...bloom, bloom go away!!

I'm beginning to wonder about the cut (dilution) of your polish. If you feel the need to apply so many coats (six should be plenty for refinishing oak), then it might be an issue... or it may be amateur (no offence intended) preconception.

I know it's been cold and damp, but the bloom might also indicate polish that's too dilute as it's the meths in the polish that absorbs moisture from the atmosphere. The low temperature slows the evaporation of the meths resulting in the moisture remaining in the polish, causing the bloom.

What cut of polish are you using?

Originally Posted by Woodwould

I'm beginning to wonder about the cut (dilution) of your polish. If you feel the need to apply so many coats (six should be plenty for refinishing oak), then it might be an issue... or it may be amateur (no offence intended) preconception.

I know it's been cold and damp, but the bloom might also indicate polish that's too dilute as it's the meths in the polish that absorbs moisture from the atmosphere. The low temperature slows the evaporation of the meths resulting in the moisture remaining in the polish, causing the bloom.

What cut of polish are you using?

ABsolutely NO offence taken..quite the opposite..I am in major 'learn' mode, thanks to you guys!!

So, yes, maybe its just my preconception that I shouldnt really be able to feel the grain texture (but then, as I think about it, I guess to get to that glass like finish...I would need much more expeience in FP.)

The cut I'm using is 250grams flakes to 1litre meths. I do realy think now that the bloom was caused by my impatience. !
Regardless, now that I've lightly sanded back, I guess I am committed to at least another 1 or 2 coats? Lawry