Hello,

I need help with my dining table project. I've gotten to the final finishing
stage, and the carnuba wax finish, which I've applied, looks streaky. My
finish is as follows:

Wood: Cherry

Sealer coat: gel varnish
mahogany gel stain x 1 coat
gel varnish x 1 coat
cherry gel stain x 1 coat
gel varnish x 4 coats

After two weeks of curing, I flattened the surface with 600 sandpaper, and 0000
synthetic steel wool. Then I applied the wax, wrapped in a ball of
cheesecloth. I buffed the wax with a buffing pad on a hand drill, the pad used
manually, and cheesecloth, but I can't get rid of the streaks (with the grain,
FWIW). It appears that the wax has adhered to most areas of the surface, but
one can see uneven patches in angled light.

Possible causes:

I may not have waited long enough for the finish to cure. I waited two weeks.
Most books recommend waiting a month, but they also say that the thumbnail test
can also be used. The finish seemed hard enough, using this test.

Perhaps I'm waiting too long or not long enough when buffing the wax. The
instructions on the can say to wait until it's completely dry. How long is
that in minutes/hours?

My buffing tools may not be right for the job.

Does anyone have a suggestion as to how to proceed? I'm inclined to strip the
wax off (I've only applied it to one half of the table), and reapply a coat or
two of varnish and wait a good while before finishing the finish. Has anyone
used pumice and rottenstone? I understand these will bring the finish to a
nice satin lustre.

Thank you.

Curt Blood