Back when I started, my grandpa would sit with me for hours showing how to rub out a finish. He knew exactly how much denatured alcohol to add by the sound it made. Now, I mostly get texts with pictures asking for quick fixes. It feels like the personal touch is fading, even though the work is still there.
He caught it just in time. Saved me a whole sanding session.
It always drags the project out an extra day. I ruined a nice table once by not letting it sit long enough, so now I just wait.
I've finished countless maple pieces over the years. I never apply a sealer before the topcoat. Maple's grain is so tight that the finish goes on evenly. For example, a recent table I did came out perfect without any sealer. Other finishers tell me I'm risking blotches, but I haven't seen one yet. I think the extra step just adds cost and time. So, I'll continue to omit it unless a client asks specifically.
In my experience, trying to spray lacquer in my home shop always ends with dust bits stuck in the finish. I set up fans and wiped everything down, but tiny particles still land on the wet coat. Your mileage may vary, but how do you all keep your workspace truly clean for this? Take this with a grain of salt, but I'm thinking my method might be off.
I'm finishing a walnut table and want a tough satin look. Some pals say hand rubbing lets you feel the work, but others say spraying is quick and flat. What's your go-to for nice pieces?