New member needs help with topcoat

[scotthj]

Hi,

I have been using polyurethane varnish and manage to get a fairly flat topcoat but I have no spray booth and so there are always a few tiny dust particles that need a final sand (400 or so). How then can I polish out the matt area to get a shiny surface? Am I asking the impossible ? Should I consider a different finish? Suggestions are all most welcome.

Scott

[Jonathan]

that I've always done in the past with bad paint finishes is apply a coat of wax.... put on with wire wool, will take out all sorts of blemish's . Then polish up the wax . Only down side is if you need to ever repaint you have to remove the wax, unless you want a craqulet finish.

Jonathan

[mralan]

Personally - if you are trying to achieve a "Gloss" finish I would consider using a different finish - using a spray gun. You can acheive the finish you want with Poly varnish but - a lot of hard work (depending on the area amount)
I have achieved great results in the past using a combination of wet/dry paper - 600 - 1200 then using the finest grade of pumice powder with felt pads and a lubricant ( I use white oil) the finally rotten stone. Here is a link to some info which may be helpful.

Interestingly - I have just dived into the world of - Car Detailing - with that I have purchased all the kit - pads and polishes and a flex 3401 orbital polisher - now my car was pretty bad with soil marks which most cars develop though improper washing etc- anyhow point is I removed these marks using the the correct pads/ polishes method and the paint work looked like glass - when the time comes - I am now going to try the same method- and products on such finishes you talk about - could be woth having a look at yourself too and trying on a test panel...

http://antiquerestorers.com/Articles/SAL/rub.htm