Surface scratches/scuffs on wood just finished with Surfix heavy-duty product

[monokraven]

I have used the Surfix heavy-duty product on an oak table & chairs, oak built-in dining room hutch, oak window sill, and, just recently, some Douglas Fir shelves. I finished the oak products a few years ago, and I've had an issue with the oak table (which sees the most usage): it is showing a lot of very light surface scratches/scuffs. Upon closer inspection, I find that I can make more of these light scratches/scuffs with my finger nail. They are very light and not really noticeable until one closely inspects from a side angle, but they are troubling me.

Now, just recently (this past week), I applied Surfix heavy-duty product to a set of 5 Douglas Fir shelves. I followed these instructions: ---which are the same instructions I followed for all of the aforementioned oak finishing. I inspected one of my shelves last night (24 hours after I polished the 2nd coat) and found that I could put scratches/scuffs in its surface with my finger nail.

What am I doing wrong? Should I have stopped at 1 coat? These were sanded very nicely and the first coat took well. It seems like the second coat cured on top as a sort of wax-like finish, though it is invisible until I put my fingernail to it.

Should I take the white or green pad to try to buff out this excess build-up? Should I take a high-grit (220?) sand paper with my orbital to try to take it down? Do I need to start all over? (I really hope not!)

Thanks,
Kevin

 

[grobkuschelig]

Hi Kevin.

Did you feel like you put a lot of Surfix Oil onto the second coat?
I normally feel like it only takes a tiny amount for the second coat.
I have finished an oak sofa table a year ago which sees daily use and shows some marks, but those are down to abuse(pots, rough handling..)

Can you share a picture of your case?

 

[Stone Message]

Hi kevin

Surfix is a good product particularly as it is so easy for the professional to get excellent finishes without too much fuss.

It is like other oils on the market in that it takes a long time to fully dry. It should be touch dry within 24 hours although this may take longer if you have applied it a little on the thick side or if it is cold. It should be hard to get it wrong as the application package that Festool have devised is very clever.

Surfix is also easy to spot repair. Just scuff slightly with a green vlie and apply a very thin coat in that area, extending a little over the surrounding good finish. Wipe off with a lint free cloth and allow to dry.

Warmth does speed up the drying process but do not over do it.

Peter

 

[monokraven]

Thanks for your thoughtful responses, Peter and grobkuschelig.

I do think that my 2nd coat must have been too heavy. I took a 220 sandpaper-orbital to my shelves last night and removed the top coat. I would have tried the green pad first, but I'm currently out. This approach appeared to do the trick--taking off just the top coat but leaving the wood underneath mostly unscathed and still dark from its 1st coat.

After I wipe them clean, I'll apply a very, very light 2nd coat, buff it in after 15-20 minutes with the white pad, and hope that it cures hard and lean after a couple of days in a radiator-heated bedroom. I'll post again to this thread after I re-finish them with an update. If I'm successful, I'll try this with my oak table later this year.