Jay-raddd
- #1
So it's nothing fancy but I'd like to share for all those who aren't familiar with coating timber.
I got my tank with a raw pinewood stand and hood... it had several putty marks from the previous owner and just wasn't very appealing to the eye.. So I took it to the garage and started sanding it back with 180 grit sandpaper, then with a brush applied a Walnut Varnish. Left it for 24hrs to dry then sanded it again lightly with 240 grit sandpaper, followed up by a second coat then left to dry. It ended up pretty smooth so didn't bother with a 3rd coat. Looks so much better =]
I then got some pinewood I had laying around and built a little box to hold my fish stuff. I used the left over varnish on it so it matched the stand. Keeps everything tidy and looks good too.
Now the grit is important on sandpaper, lower the number the rougher it is.. the higher the number the finer it is. So I used 180 to cut the timber back ready for the first coat. Then when the varnish drys you will notice the timber goes a little furry.. because the varnish causes the timber fibers to lift. So this is why I used a finer 240 grit to lightly rub back the surface removing these furry bits and roughing the timber slightly so the second coat will stick properly. You don't want to sand off your first coat just lightly rub the surface. Usually 2 coats will be fine but 3 will give a good finish.
I hope these little tips help all those planning to do the same
Here's a before, during and after shot. Plus one of the little box.
I got my tank with a raw pinewood stand and hood... it had several putty marks from the previous owner and just wasn't very appealing to the eye.. So I took it to the garage and started sanding it back with 180 grit sandpaper, then with a brush applied a Walnut Varnish. Left it for 24hrs to dry then sanded it again lightly with 240 grit sandpaper, followed up by a second coat then left to dry. It ended up pretty smooth so didn't bother with a 3rd coat. Looks so much better =]
I then got some pinewood I had laying around and built a little box to hold my fish stuff. I used the left over varnish on it so it matched the stand. Keeps everything tidy and looks good too.
Now the grit is important on sandpaper, lower the number the rougher it is.. the higher the number the finer it is. So I used 180 to cut the timber back ready for the first coat. Then when the varnish drys you will notice the timber goes a little furry.. because the varnish causes the timber fibers to lift. So this is why I used a finer 240 grit to lightly rub back the surface removing these furry bits and roughing the timber slightly so the second coat will stick properly. You don't want to sand off your first coat just lightly rub the surface. Usually 2 coats will be fine but 3 will give a good finish.
I hope these little tips help all those planning to do the same
Here's a before, during and after shot. Plus one of the little box.
