Scraper for finishing?

[tetsuwan]

Dumb question here, but I'm even newer to finishing than I am to woodworking. I've just built a low console for all of our video/audio components and am finishing it in a brush-on lacquer. So far all has been going pretty well, but I keep getting little goobers in the surface when it dries. I was knocking these down with some fine steel wool, but I when I apply another coat, they come back. So, after the last coat dried, I looked around and saw my cabinet scraper sitting there. Using the un-honed edge, I ran over the surface lightly wherever I could feel a rough spot. It seems to work like a charm. The surface looks fine, feels smooth, and the goober is gone. Is this a kosher approach or is something really bad going to happen to me?

[jackellis]

I'll be interested in what others say about using a scraper but I think the source of your problem might be that you need to thin the finish before you apply it.

I absolutely hate finishing.

I have had similar problems with brush-on acrylic. Apparently the answer with acrylic and many other finishes is to thin them and apply more coats.


I still hate finishing.

[poolhound]

I would tend to agree with Jack, I think the issue is in how you are using the finish. It certainly sounds like it is going on too thick. It could be that it needs thining but what you describe could also be caused by a poor quality brush and also overbrushing.

Most finishes have an ingredient that will even out light brush strokes as a film coat develops. If you over load your brush and are tempted to overbrush to even things out you will end up putting on too much which means it will dry unevenly and could result in odd lumps and bumps.

[herb fellows]

Be afraid, be very afraid! I think the call is coming from inside the house! :-)
Sorry, I got carried away by that last line!
Thinning is definitely the way to go, assuming that it isn't dust that's the problem. Probably best to take a sample scrap of the wood, try it in the same environment with a 25% and a 50% thin. You'll probably find the 50% will do the trick. If you still have the problem and it's not dust, I would suspect there is a bad batch of finish. It doesn't happen often, but when it does it can drive you crazy trying to figure out the problem.
While it may not be so visible to the naked eye, I would suspect there are small bare spots created by lifting the 'goobers' that might very well come back to haunt you later, especially if the piece gets wet.
I know the last thing you want to hear is that it needs more work, but after all the work you've put into it already, it's worth it to preserve it.

[cabinetman]

If you have a clear environment for brushing, and removed all debris from the surface, you might check the can for particles of dried material. That type of contamination will settle to the bottom. Thinning will help and stirring slowly so not to create bubbles. It's best to pour through a filter prior to using.

What may help a lot is to add retarder to the mix. Lacquer can be either brush grade or spray grade. Retarder can be added to either to slow down drying and create a better flowout.
.

[tetsuwan]

Lacquer Thicker...

HI all, thanks for the responses. This morning I thinned out my lacquer by about 30% and after brushing that on, got a surface that's a lot flatter and smoother. I hit the one or two bumps I had with a touch of lacquer thinner, and they smoothed right out. I assumed that the lacquer was ready to use right from the can. I guess some day I'll get this all figured out.
Thanks again,
jb