"Mike Marlow" wrote in message
k.net...

"Dan White" wrote in message
...

I'm going to try hard and feel those ripples. I'd swear they aren't
detectable by the touch. I even wonder if the ripple has something to
do
with varying thicknesses of poly rather than an uneven surface. If the
butcher block surface itself isn't perfect then there would be different
amounts of poly even with a perfect surface. Maybe it is more an
optical
effect? ... Anyway I'll look some more on Friday. I did do some
additional
sanding today on another section to see if I could get rid of the slight
ripples. I used 400 grit and then just a few passes with 2000 and the
ripples were still there.

I'm not sure I need the finish any better than what I've got but I'd
like
to
see what is possible as long as I'm still experimenting. I'll give the
1000
grit a try on a paint stick and see what happens. Maybe I'll post a pic
link for the heck of it if I can get a good shot.


The real answer is to get it to the finish you like and stop there. No
point in getting anal about it. So - if you like it where it is then
ignore
my comments and give yourself a pat on the back. Seriously - I'm not
being
a wise guy. If however you want to dabble with it more or if you want
something to look at in the future, then grab that paint stick as I
suggested before and wrap it up and lay it down on the project and do a
little sanding. If you have low spots, they'll show up immediately as
unsanded areas. If you see nice even sanding marks on the entire surface
then you're flat. But like I said, the finish you strive for is the
finish
that makes you happy. It is after all, all about pleasure.


Great advice. I'm more in the playing around with it mode to be sure it is
what I want protection-wise. Plus I'd like to know what finishes I am
capable of and how hard they are to get. I felt the finish again today and
I stand corrected that the waves can be felt if you really pay attention.
It is also apparent that these waves are due to slight differences from
piece to piece in the butcher block wood itself (the laminates). Anyway I
did the paint stick trick and it showed up the high spots as you said. I
can even see the different layers of poly being sanded down if I look at
just the right angle. I used 400 grit for this and even then it took some
work. It did get much flatter but I had to stop before I completely
finished.

I probably won't go this far when it comes to doing the relatively large
surface area I have to do, but is is nice to know there is a way to make it
really flat if I want to down the road.

Thanks again, Mike.

dwhite

--

-Mike-