Polishing Oak

[RADuffy]

I am building a platform bed for my wife and I. I started it last August, but haven't gotten to far, the platform is built, but it's still mostly just raw plywood. I have think I'd like to polish it rather than stain it. I have the RO 150, any tips in doing this or should I go a different direction. Also, if I do go the polishing route, what grit sand paper/polishing accessories will I need.

 

[peter halle]

If you are asking about polishing plywood - I personally would not try that.  The veneer on the plywood I get is too thin for the multiple sanding stages.  Your situation may differ though.

Peter

 

[RADuffy]

That is good to know, I hadn't thought about that. I will not polish the plywood, only the oak hardwood. Only substructure for the bed is plywood.

 

[RADuffy]

Also, I follow Austin already, I never noticed his sanding to polishing video before, thanks for the heads up.

 

[peter halle]

Here is a link to a youtube search:  https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=festool+polishing+wood

Peter

 

[Stephen B]

Here is a link to a youtube search:  http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=festool+polishing+wood

Peter

[size=11pt]
Hi Peter,

I am curious that in this video he used the green polishing pad for sanding as well as with felt and lambswool, and that he bothered with dust extraction.

It is my understanding that this pad provides no dust extraction because it is often used with felts/lambswool to burnish/apply oils and wax.

Consequently I have only used it with felts and lambswool for oil and wax.

Stephen

 

[Brice Burrell]

If you are asking about polishing plywood - I personally would not try that.  The veneer on the plywood I get is too thin for the multiple sanding stages.  Your situation may differ though.

Peter

If you were trying to polish the bare wood then the super thin veneer on ply could be dicey.  If we're talking about polishing a finish on ply then it would be easier.  Also, oak doesn't lend itself well to polishing without filling the grain/pores.

 

 

[Brice Burrell]

[size=11pt]
Hi Peter,

I am curious that in this video he used the green polishing pad for sanding as well as with felt and lambswool, and that he bothered with dust extraction.

It is my understanding that this pad provides no dust extraction because it is often used with felts/lambswool to burnish/apply oils and wax.

Consequently I have only used it with felts and lambswool for oil and wax.

Stephen

I think you are referring to Austin's video, he shows what's possible with Festool abrasives well enough, but not necessarily the best technique.  Sanding with Platin I believe the polishing pad is ideal.   

 

[RADuffy]

What should I use to fill the grain? Do I use a wood filler or a wax?

 

[Brice Burrell]

What should I use to fill the grain? Do I use a wood filler or a wax?

There are products specifically for this, search for wood grain filler.  These are made to go on under a finish that then can be polished.