Step By Step Process Of Getting Mirror Finish On Wood
One of the best & long-established ways when it comes to getting a mirror finish on wood is to use a method known as French polish, which primarily consists of rubbing on layers of shellac. Applying French polish can be time-consuming, though, and due to the stickiness of shellac, it can be tricky. A less demanding technique is to rub down an already hardened finish, which may include varnish or lacquer. Lacquer is a non-curing finish more akin to shellac in comparison to varnish, and due to the reason that it dries quickly, you can layer it more easily as compared to varnish, which makes it easier to get a glassy-smooth finish.
Thing's You Will Need
- Aluminum Oxide Sandpaper; 150-, 220-, 320- And 400-Grit
- Dry Cloths, Wood Grain Filler & Paintbrush
- Plastic Paint Scraper & Lacquer Or Varnish
- Spray Equipment Or Paintbrush
- Silicon Carbide Sandpaper; 400-, 600-, 800-, 1000- And 1200-Grit
- 4F Pumice & Cotton Buffing Cloths
- Power buffer
Step By Step Process
- Sanding: First of all, sand the bare wood in order to smoothen it and get rid of the old finish. Perform the sanding process by hand-sanding using 150-grit aluminum oxide sandpaper, but make sure to go with the grain of the wood. Wipe off sanding dust with the help of a dry cloth.
- Oil Or Water-based Wood Grain Filler: Now, fill the grain either with an oil-based or water-based wood grain filler. This step is essential if the wood is an open-grained variety, like oak, however, it makes it easier to attain a mirror finish on all varieties. Apply the filler with the help of a paintbrush, scrape it flat using a plastic paint scraper, and allow it to dry for several hours. Sand it flat by hand using 220-grit sandpaper, moving along with the grain of the wood.
- Spray Lacquer Or Varnish: Next, put or spread one coat of lacquer. You can also brush or spread a coat of vanish. Give it some time to dry tack-free, lacquer takes at least 20 minutes, while varnish may take nearly one to two hours to dry completely. Sand the lacquer or varnish by hand using 320-grit sandpaper before getting rid of the sanding dust.
- Spray One More Coat Of Varnish: Apply another coat of varnish. If you are spraying lacquer, it is important to apply two more coats, sanding the first one before you apply the next.
- Allow Varnish Or Lacquer To Dry: Permit the varnish or lacquer to dry for one day, before level-sanding using 400-grit sandpaper in order to get rid of bumps and imperfections. This will help give you a smooth surface for the finish coats.
- Apply One More Wet Coat Of Varnish: Apply another wet coat of varnish. If you are using lacquer, put or spread three more coats, sanding each one using 400-grit sandpaper before applying the next. Give the finishes time in order to fully cure before rubbing them. Lacquer takes at least a week, while varnish takes nearly two weeks to cure fully.
- Wet-sand The Surface Using Silicon Carbide Sandpaper: Wet-sand the surface with the help of a silicon carbide sandpaper, using water as a lubricant. Start with 400-grit paper in order to knock down gross imperfections, before sanding the entire surface using 600-grit sandpaper. Rub as long as the surface shows a uniform dull sheen. Repeat the procedure using 800-, 1000- and 1200-grit sandpaper.
- Sprinkle 4F Pumice On The Wood: Finally, spray 4F pumice on the wood, put some water or rubbing oil on it, and buff up the finish with the help of a cotton cloth. It is easier to get a full gloss finish with the help of a power buffer than it is if you are hand-buffing.