Site Search Results

What Sanding Equipment Should I Use?

GF's recommendation: (there are other great sanders in the market. These are the ones we are familiar with) Most pros own more than one sander as they are designed for different objectives.

Can I Use Steel Wool With Water Based Finishes?

person using steel wool when finishing a cabinet

Post Date

Tue, 03/10/2015 - 12:00

ANSWER

What is the best sandpaper or abrasive to use for finish sanding?

Preparation and Sanding

Finish sanding is the process of sanding between or before the final coats of topcoat. There are several options.

Be careful about just using numbers. For instance, the 220 grit sanding PAD is equivalent to 400 grit SANDPAPER. Sanding pads from different brands have similar names but different grits. Also a note on sanding pads - we like to abrade new ones a bit on raw wood and not use them straight out of the box. Used 220 sanding pads are perfect for that final sand before topcoat.

GF's Annual Design Contest

Post Date

Mon, 01/19/2015 - 12:00

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR GROUNDHOG DAY. The General Finishes 2015 Contest Starts February 2nd and runs for 40 days. There are two categories to enter. Enter one or both as often as you wish here

1) WILD NIGHTS DESIGN CHALLENGE

*How Can I Buff Enduro-Var Gloss to a Higher Gloss?

Enduro-Var Buffing Out the Final Coat of Finish

Contributed by Jeff Jewitt of Homestead Finishing Supplies

Day 1:

Prep sand the wood with 220-grit sandpaper.
Spray a wet coat of General Finishes Enduro-Var Gloss and dry for 2 hours.
Level sand with 320-grit sandpaper.
Spray a second wet coat and dry for 2 hours.
Lightly sand with 320-grit sandpaper.
Spray a third wet coat and allow to dry overnight.

Day 2:

General Finishes 2016 Design Challenge

text: ready your brushes GF design challenge

Post Date

Sun, 04/10/2016 - 12:00

Rev up your brushes and save the date! The 2016 GENERAL FINISHES DESIGN CHALLENGE CONTEST kicks off July 4th, 2016. We will post the link to the contest at that time.

*How Do I Buff Out High Performance Water Based Topcoat to a High Gloss?

High Performance Water Based Top Coat Satin Finishing Wax Buffing Out the Final Coat of Finish

There are several techniques by Jeff Jewitt of Homestead Finishing Products:

DRY BUFF WITH MIRKA ROYAL MICRO PAPER

Using Mirka Royal Micro sandpaper, always start with 1500-grit sandpaper. Begin with a small area, make 2-3 passes, then evaluate results. Go to a heavier grit if surface irregularities are not fully removed. Finish with 1500-grit paper.

Refinished Mandola with General Finished Enduro -Var Water Based Polyurethane

mandola refinished using general finishes enduro

Post Date

Tue, 05/03/2016 - 12:00

John Mosconi of Sting King Lutherie in Akron, Ohio takes us on his journey of refinishing this mandola.

Step 1: Prep and Sealing

General Finishes 2016 Design Challenge Categories and Prizes

text: ready your brushes GF design challenge july 2016

Post Date

Wed, 06/15/2016 - 12:00

This years contest features thousands of dollars of prizes!

This year's contest entries will be accepted between Monday, July 4-25. GF will post a link to the entry page on July 4th. Voting begins Tuesday, July 26 and winners will be announced the first week in August.

*Does Flat Out Flat Contain a Wax that Will Prevent Adhesion During a Recoat?

Flat Out Flat

Flat Out Flat is safe to recoat with proper cleaning and scuff sanding.

General Finishes does not use a wax such as parafiin, carnauba or PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene) that cause adhesion failures in the finish Flat Out Flat.

We do use a very small amount of a different wax (part of the secret sauce) and it is used to improve matting, abrasion and mar resistance.