On Mon, 02 Jun 2008 15:17:47 GMT, blueman wrote:

I am in the process of laying down multiple thin wipe on coats of poly
to a project.

The first half dozen coats were done in gloss. Then I switched to
semi-gloss for the final two coats. The first coat of semi-gloss,
still left the wood with a pretty high sheen.

Will the semi-gloss (i.e. less sheen than gloss) nature continue to
build with additional coats of semi-gloss additional or will I need to
go to satin if I want the surface to be less shiny?

i.e. is the non-gloss sheen just determined by the top coat or does it
build across multiple coats?


Blueman:

In reading through some of the responses to your inquiry it becomes
clear that some of the responders are not.

The silica flatting agent is in suspension, not in solution. There is
no such thing as being suspended in a solution.

Do a bit of reading on how the gloss is knocked down by the silica
breaking up the light and how finish hardness and the use of flatting
agents are related. This will help you make a decision about what to
use for a top coat.

The fact that something contains polyurethane does not preclude it
from being a varnish. These are definitional issues but not being
mindful of them can lead to confusion.

The Lawrence - McFaddden and the Bartley gel finishes both contain
polyurethane.

Jeff Jewitt's Homestead Finishes site is a good place to start looking
for answers.



Regards,

Tom

Thos.J.Watson - Cabinetmaker
tjwatson1ATcomcastDOTnet
www.home.comcast.net/~tjwatson1