Varnished door needs top coat?

Be_Happy

We've been having work done around the house. Decorator has finished now, but new bathroom door (pine, no knots) has been left after 2 coats of quick dry gloss varnish. Colour is good, but surface is rough to touch and has no sheen to it.

We can't afford to have any more professional work, so what can I do to improve this finish. Ideally I'm looking for something that goes on with a cloth, as door has moulded panels and I know my limitations at brushing. I'd like something that I can pop out to B & Q or Homebase for rather than something that has to be ordered from on-line supplier. The cheaper, the better!

Russe11

might be able to get away with a fine wire wool to take off roughness and the use some finishing wax for furniture to give it a sheen

aboard_epsilon

First coats of varnish on wood always leave a rough finish ..think its micro air bubbles coming out of the wood as the varnish soaks in..the bubbles pop on the surface as the varnish is drying ...and leave rough finish.

So in most Cases needs a couple of coats then a mild rub down and then another couple of coats .

I use those abrasive covered foam rubber sanding blocks ..you can usually get them cheap ..10 for £1

don't go mad with them... if the varnish contains a pigment ..as you will go through to the "blond" wood.

after rubbing all over with the blocks .use a clean cotton rags soaked in white spirit to remove the sanding dust before more coats

all the best...markj

keystone

Be_Happy wrote: »

We've been having work done around the house. Decorator has finished now, but new bathroom door (pine, no knots) has been left after 2 coats of quick dry gloss varnish. Colour is good, but surface is rough to touch and has no sheen to it.

Either door not prepped properly or varnish not applied properly - does it feel like lots of little bubbles? Hate the quick-dry stuff - it's carp.

We can't afford to have any more professional work.......

If you weren't happy with the result why did you pay him?

..........., so what can I do to improve this finish.

Get him back to do it properly.

Ideally I'm looking for something that goes on with a cloth, as door has moulded panels and I know my limitations at brushing.

Sand it all off and wax it then if you want to do something with a cloth but you should consider calling the guy back TBH.

The cheaper, the better!

So it was cheap varnish in the first place and a cheap decorator then? 'Nuff said.

Cheers

keystone

aboard_epsilon wrote: »

First coats of varnish on wood always leave a rough finish ..think its micro air bubbles coming out of the wood as the varnish soaks in..the bubbles pop on the surface as the varnish is drying ...and leave rough finish.

No - actually it's p.... poor application technique.

Cheers

Be_Happy

Thanks for help. And, no it wasn't cheap varnish or a cheap decorator, hence I'm looking at saving some money now. Other work he did around house was very good and I thought perhaps the modern trend was to have wooden doors looking 'natural' and I was expecting too much with a polished surface.

keystone

Be_Happy wrote: »

Thanks for help. And, no it wasn't cheap varnish or a cheap decorator,

Then he shouldn't have any problem about coming back to sort it for you.

Cheers

Norman_Castle

The varnish either has air bubbles in it or the door was dusty. Cut the surface back with fine sand paper, very easy, you're only removing the roughness. Remove any dust with a vacuum and damp cloth and recoat with a thin coat of original varnish.

Have you mentioned this to the decorator?