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Subject: Re: smoothing out a finish

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Message Thread:

smoothing out a finish

3/12/25       
Chris Payne

Just built a couple pieces of furniture and they painted up nice all except on some of the insides while spraying I got a slight amount of overspray on the finish and it isn't as slick as the rest. Queston I have is could I lightly buff over this to smooth out the finish?

3/15/25       #2: smoothing out a finish ...
Matt Calnen

I was shown to try rubbing with a brown paper bag to smooth out roughness. I was surprised how well it works.

3/17/25       #3: smoothing out a finish ...
Leo G Member

While the paper bag trick can work well it also depends on the timing and the type of finish. I mostly use conversion varnish. And if there is a rough spot you need to get to it pretty soon. After about an hour if you feel your parts for any over spray and you find some do it then. You won't get it glass smooth no matter what, but because of the cross linking of CV it will pull the roughness flatter and in a day or so it will feel even smoother.

As for softer finishes like pre-cats and nitrocellulose you might have to be aware that the paper bag can put scratches into your finish if you have a higher sheen on them that might not go away.

A paper bag is approx 2000 grit I've been told.

3/27/25       #4: smoothing out a finish ...
jamien Member

I've had success fixing rough finishes with the white 3m pads. the other colors are too rough. Boat guys around here use them on glossy topcoats to bring the shine out.

3/27/25       #5: smoothing out a finish ...
Payne Chris

Jamie’s where do you get these pads?

3/27/25       #6: smoothing out a finish ...
Leo G Member

3M makes some 6" foam pads for the RO sander. 500-4000 grit. But they will change the look of the finish while smoothing things out. The off the gun finish that you have and then you rub them out to take off overspray or whatnot will have a different look even if you match the sheen.

Sometimes you can get away with it. Edges of face frames or doors are places it's easy to get away with. The face of a door might not work unless it's a lone door and you can't compare it to something right next to it.

3/27/25       #7: smoothing out a finish ...
jamien Member

I buy then at a local marine supplier. But they are widely available. id sart with the finest (white). A metal supplier might also have them locally since they are used to polish that too.
https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/p/d/b40066283/

3m hand pads

3/28/25       #8: smoothing out a finish ...
krystiane Member

Website: https://ledivano.ie/
Yes, you can lightly buff the overspray to smooth out the finish. Start with a fine-grit sandpaper (like 800 to 1000 grit) or use a fine sanding pad. Lightly sand the affected areas, being careful not to cut through the finish. After that, you can use a rubbing compound or a fine polishing compound to bring back the gloss. Finish it off with a clean, soft cloth to buff the surface.

If the finish still looks uneven, consider applying a light coat of clear finish to blend it in. Test the process on a small, inconspicuous area first to make sure it works as expected.
3/28/25       #10: smoothing out a finish ...
Payne Chris

Thanks for the input I found some pads on Amazon got them coming thanks again.

3/28/25       #11: smoothing out a finish ...
jamien Member

just an fyi on amazon pads. i bought a bunch of cheap green ones (to remove rust from cast iron tablesaw) and they were awful - disintegrated, dulled fast, worked a tenth as well as the 3m ones - they are truly way better.

3/30/25       #12: smoothing out a finish ...
Payne Chris

Yes I have had the green ones I wasn’t impressed either I bought the white ones . I will give them a try

4/2/25       #13: smoothing out a finish ...
nickko

Look up Trizact 568xa. There a 3M product that i use for overspray and to smooth a finish. They work great and do not change the sheen. There are a couple places that you can but individual disc instead of large packs

4/21/25       #14: smoothing out a finish ...
NJ Furniture Mart  Member

Website: https://www.njfurnituremart.com/

Smoothing out a finish requires patience and the right tools. Start by allowing the finish to fully dry, then use a fine-grit sandpaper (typically 220-grit) to gently smooth any imperfections or rough spots. Sand lightly in the direction of the grain, then wipe away any dust. For a glass-like finish, apply a second coat and buff with a polishing compound once dry. For glossy surfaces, a polishing pad or fine steel wool can help achieve a smooth, professional look.

 

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