Wet sanding

[420TEE]

I'm finishing some mahogany parts with Minwax clear gloss water based urethane. I"ve got three coats lightly sanded on now and intended to wet sand it before the last coat or two. Will there be a problem wet sanding a water based finish?

[mode1]

After the proper drying time wet sanding should be fine. A few drops of dish soap in the sanding water will help.

[Brooks]

Water-based finishes are not necessarily water soluble once the finish has cured. Think of your house, it's probably painted with latex, a water-based paint. Your house paint does not run off after a rainstorm (though it would if the rain hit before the paint cured).

[mike_victoriaBC]

Let us know how it comes out. I tried the water base but have gone back to the Minwax Helmsman as it seems to give a deeper finish. Two coats, wetsand then perhaps two more. Takes longer to dry though. Years ago my father used to refinish the dash boards in MG's and Rovers - lots of varnish, wet sanding to get the final finish. Was hoping the water base would be similar unless it's my brush, etc.

[420TEE]

I had 3 coats Minwax urethane on mahogany floor boards sanded with 220 between them. Let the last dry overnight and sanded wet with 400 this morning. Gave it another coat and it dried very nicely. Smooth and shiny. Not like the glass finish on many Chris Crafts, but OK for my use. I imagine a few more coats would get there.

[robster94gt]

Hey guys,
I'm currently using Minwax Helmsman on some mahogany veneer on the Ellliot Bay steam launch. I've put a few coats on, sanding with 320 in between. I'm not sure how to go about getting a shiny final coat. Do you sand the final coat, or do you sand the previous coat? Any tips would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Rob

[woodybob]

Go to 1500 to 2000 grit wet paper, final coat should get rubbed out with 3M Finesse-It II, by hand.

[robster94gt]

Hi thanks. Can I ask you about wetsanding technique? Is it just a matter of wetting the paper?

Cheers,
Rob

[woodybob]

Put your sand paper in a tray of water to soak it, and keep your surface wet. I use a spray bottle with a few drops of dish detergent.

[robster94gt]

Thanks. I'll see if I can get some 1500 -2000 for the final coat. How much should I be sanding? I looked up the finesse it. It seems to be used with an orbital polisher? This is a very small job. Is there any other product that could be used? Or is it possible to not use anything?

Thanks again,
Rob

[woodybob]

Sand until you're satisfied with the finish. Just don't go through the top coat. 3M Finesse-It II comes in a 16 oz. bottle, about $11.00 at the auto parts store. It's a very mild rubbing compound.

[time4420]

...and change your water with grit change.