Rob McKinney
01-09-2006, 09:34 PM
I was able to get a 12 foot long 2inch full round Beech hand rail... for $78...it is laminated but very hefty...what is the best way to prep it? how do I varnish it without causing drips and runs?
01-09-2006, 09:34 PM
01-09-2006, 11:54 PM
Hi Rob.
First make certain that it is sanded smooth and then using a tack cloth wipe it down to be sure that there are not any little bits of sanding dust or dirt, etc. that can get into the varnish.
Obviously you will need a varnish. And if not water based then you will need mineral spirits to clean up the brush when you are finished with each coat.
DO NOT SHAKE THE CAN You will end up with a zillion little bubbles that area nearly impossible to brush out.
Pour a little varnish into another container to brush from rather than dipping into the can. Keeps the source clean and free from any other contamination. Dip just the end of the brush into the varnish and then don't drag it over the edge. Brush out starting at one end and spread it evenly. The the next brush.
Then don't pour any of the stuff you dip into back into the original container. Keep the lid on it when you are not pouring it out.
Discard any left over in the second container and pour fresh to make the next coat. With a little trial and error you will get it just about right. Just don't try to save the little bit left and use it later. You are better off starting fresh each coat. And make sure if you are cleaning the brush to clean it really well with mineral spirits and then hang it bristles down to dry.
First coat is brushed on as a very thin coat. Brush from dry area back into the wet to even it out. You can use the foam throw away brushes or a bristle brush. You can go back if it hasn't begun to drag on the brush yet and catch any small runs or drips as you go. Start at one end and work all the way around from one side across the top and down the other side and then work on down the full length. Just don't get too far ahead of yourself on one side and the try to catch up. Work it fairly evenly.
Let it dry completely, the grain will be raised and you will need to sand it off lightly and then use a tack cloth over all to make sure it is clean.
Second coat and so on are better if they are thin coats rather than heavier coats. Thin coats won't have the tendency to run. I would hang it from an overhead from both ends with a nail to tie to in the end of the boom. You can come back and touch up the little hole after you are done.
Once the grain has raised the first time it won't do it again unless you sand down thru the first coat of varnish. It takes time and you have to have the pataience to allow it to dry completely before any further sanding.
I use 220 wet dry between the final coats to clean up any little defects if you are so inclined. Generally 4-6 coats will help protect it and then when it comes time to recoat it only takes a little sanding of the surface and then brushing on a fresh coat ot two to maintain.
First make certain that it is sanded smooth and then using a tack cloth wipe it down to be sure that there are not any little bits of sanding dust or dirt, etc. that can get into the varnish.
Obviously you will need a varnish. And if not water based then you will need mineral spirits to clean up the brush when you are finished with each coat.
DO NOT SHAKE THE CAN You will end up with a zillion little bubbles that area nearly impossible to brush out.
Pour a little varnish into another container to brush from rather than dipping into the can. Keeps the source clean and free from any other contamination. Dip just the end of the brush into the varnish and then don't drag it over the edge. Brush out starting at one end and spread it evenly. The the next brush.
Then don't pour any of the stuff you dip into back into the original container. Keep the lid on it when you are not pouring it out.
Discard any left over in the second container and pour fresh to make the next coat. With a little trial and error you will get it just about right. Just don't try to save the little bit left and use it later. You are better off starting fresh each coat. And make sure if you are cleaning the brush to clean it really well with mineral spirits and then hang it bristles down to dry.
First coat is brushed on as a very thin coat. Brush from dry area back into the wet to even it out. You can use the foam throw away brushes or a bristle brush. You can go back if it hasn't begun to drag on the brush yet and catch any small runs or drips as you go. Start at one end and work all the way around from one side across the top and down the other side and then work on down the full length. Just don't get too far ahead of yourself on one side and the try to catch up. Work it fairly evenly.
Let it dry completely, the grain will be raised and you will need to sand it off lightly and then use a tack cloth over all to make sure it is clean.
Second coat and so on are better if they are thin coats rather than heavier coats. Thin coats won't have the tendency to run. I would hang it from an overhead from both ends with a nail to tie to in the end of the boom. You can come back and touch up the little hole after you are done.
Once the grain has raised the first time it won't do it again unless you sand down thru the first coat of varnish. It takes time and you have to have the pataience to allow it to dry completely before any further sanding.
I use 220 wet dry between the final coats to clean up any little defects if you are so inclined. Generally 4-6 coats will help protect it and then when it comes time to recoat it only takes a little sanding of the surface and then brushing on a fresh coat ot two to maintain.