Buffing Mahogany Conference table

[MCLimited]

Here's the scenario, I have a 5' x 12' x 1 3/4" solid mahogany table top that is finished with 3 coats of Sherwin Williams Super Kemvar "m" conversion varnish. The varnish has set for 2 days and sanded from 800 titan 2 through Platin II 2000. The surface is nice and smooth but a little cloudy. The question is, what would be the best way to complete this process. Wax? just a felt pad to buff?

 

[Ken Nagrod]

[welcome] MCL.

Just to clarify, is this "cloudiness" from trapped moisture, applying the varnish in high humidity or do you mean it just isn't polished enough to look like glass?

 

[MCLimited]

more like hazy, not from moisture. The finish was applied in 75 degrees @ 65% RH shot straight. The Platin II discs seem to leave the finish a little hazy and I have not used this fetool system before.

 

[Ken Nagrod]

You might be at the point where a buffing compound/polishing compound and buffer with the proper pads are the solution.  It can't hurt to try that.  If it doesn't work, back to paper to remove the prior scratch pattern and continue up the grits (in microns).

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Buffing compound with the orange non-corrugated sponge for your sander, you didn't specify which you have. With buffing compound, you should be able to achieve the high sheen you're looking for.

Edit: Titan is probably not the best abrasive for this application. I would suggest Granat, which will soon go up to 1500 grit. From there, you could probably go straight to buffing compound.

 

[MCLimited]

I have the Ro 150 and ETS 150/3  I was hoping that Festool would come out with some sort of finishing schedule for the abrasive/polishing line

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Granat really is becoming our wonder abrasive - the one that can virtually do it all. My recommendation would be to use Granat through your normal progressions, up through 800, 1200 and 1500 grit using your ETS 150. Then, using the medium or fine sponge in Rotex mode using your RO 150, apply your preferred buffing compounds to achieve the high gloss finish you're after.

I'll be posting a video soon that will show this process and you'll be blown away with the results.

Sorry we don't have more information regarding polishing, but we're working on expanding that information.

 

[MCLimited]

Thanks for the suggestions,the tops came out great.

Shane, I am going to try the Granat paper on the second table, I'll  post the results/differences :
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