Polishing walnut, cherry,& maple with RO125

[yellowtruck75]

I recently purchased an RO 125 and I want to use it to polish my rocking chairs I build.  I plan to sand up to 4000 with Platnum and then polish before finish (tung oil/ boiled linseed oil and poly).  I know I need the soft green pad to polish but what pads do I need?  Can I also use the 125 to polish after all finish is applied?  Thanks

 

[woodguy7]

Is 400 grit not to fine to accept a finish ?  Any pictures of your rocking chairs, i have the plans for the Maloof inspired rocker but not had the time to start it yet  [embarassed]

Woodguy.

edit - sorry, i meant 4000 grit  [embarassed]

 

[CharlesWilson]

If you polish up to 4000 platin, you may find that the oil doesn't soak into the wood all that well.

Charles

 

[mouppe]

I recently purchased an RO 125 and I want to use it to polish my rocking chairs I build.  I plan to sand up to 4000 with Platnum and then polish before finish (tung oil/ boiled linseed oil and poly).  I know I need the soft green pad to polish but what pads do I need?  Can I also use the 125 to polish after all finish is applied?  Thanks

I don't think this is the best way to get a fine finish on your chairs. As others have said, you will be using to high a grit to allow the oil to soak in and do its job. With walnut in particular- as it is an open-grained wood- you need a different approach. With cherry and maple this approach you will give you a blotchy finish as some areas absorb more oil than others.

So this is what I would do if I were you.

Use the rotex in geared mode to 150 or 180, then switch to random orbit mode and sand with 180 and 220 grit Brilliant 2. Use a tack cloth or compressed air to blow away any remaining sawdust.

Apply a coat of shellac. If you buy the bullseye brand, cut it by half or even more with denatured alcohol. This will partially seal the wood, and allow for a more even oil absorption and reduce blotchiness. Let it dry- maybe half an hour is sufficient. (With the walnut only, rub out the shellac with 400 grit paper (by hand) but don't remove the dust. Let it stay on the surface. Then work this dust into the open pores of the walnut with another wash coat of shellac.)

Now you can apply the oil. Flood the surface, let it soak in for 5 or 10 minutes, and wipe off the excess. Leave it overnight. Use 400 grit paper or steel wool (personally I don't like using steel wool) to even the surface. Festool make Vlies polishing pads which are perfect for this step, but unfortunately they are NAINA. I did a review of them somewhere on the FOG. Then continue to work in oil coats, and polish with higher and higher grits. Above 1000 with the platin2 pads, don't forget to switch the ro125 to geared rotex mode.

There are some polishing pads called Surbuf which fit the rotex perfectly. I really like using them for polishing.

http://www.surbuf.com/Surbuf-Buffing-And-Polishing-Pads.asp

At the end, you can apply a wax coat if you want but it may be unwise on a rocking chair unless you don't like your guests!

 

[junk731]

I've been testing polishing woods with up to 4000 grit Platin and applying oil type finishes. What I've found is that you don't notice much difference past 2000 grit. At this level grain pop is amazing in figured and unfigured woods when the oil is applied. I've tried it with open grain woods and same wood with grain filler. The finishes tried were Waterlox and Rubio Monocoat. The results go against what is typical said to be a good finishing schedule. Only time will tell.

John

 

[Tim Mahoney]

I make a Maloof style chair and use the same formula Sam  did.  I don't use a power sander but a lot of elbow grease.  I don't sand any higher than 320 and I do that also by hand.  I hate the little circles the Festool paper leaves so don't use it.  Mirka brand or sunlite works best for me.  I use 0000 steel wool and tack cloth between coats, usually 4=5 coats and then a couple of coats of the same finish with the wax added.  I have also found that using a good marine varnish instead of the poly part gives my pieces a slight sheen plus I can get it at most stores.  I don't use the water based stuff.

 

[woodguy7]

Welcome to the FOG Tim.
Any pick of your rocker ?  I have a full set of plans & templates for the Maloof inspired rocker but as usual, no time to look at it yet  [sad]

Woodguy

 

[VictorL]

Question: Is there any advantages for using Platin up to 1500 over Granat 1500?

Thank you

 

[mouppe]

Platin is only available at 1000, 2000 etc.

If I am wrong, let me know.

There is one advantage to Platin 2 and that is that the pads are foam-backed. I don't believe the Granat papers are, but I only have up to Granat 500.

 

[VictorL]

Platin is only available at 1000, 2000 etc.

If I am wrong, let me know.

There is one advantage to Platin 2 and that is that the pads are foam-backed. I don't believe the Granat papers are, but I only have up to Granat 500.

Granat available up to P1500, but much cheaper. Interface pad works like  foam backed pads in Platin 2

 

[CharlesWilson]

Platin is only available at 1000, 2000 etc.

If I am wrong, let me know.

There is one advantage to Platin 2 and that is that the pads are foam-backed. I don't believe the Granat papers are, but I only have up to Granat 500.

Platin is available in 400 for the RO125.