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I'm working with ebony and wenge wood and used a rub on poly finish but it seems some parts look clear and you can see the wood grain while other parts look cloudy and you cannot see the grain in the ebony. Yet on the wenge you can see all the wood grain without issue. Not sure what I'm doing wrong here...
Since the cloudiness appears to be concentrated around a joint I would guess that there is some residual glue or contamination causing the white/cloudiness. Cloudiness is also caused by not mixing well, (the flatting agents not mixed in well), or by moisture in the finish (the finish cools/drys fast and absorbs moisture out of the air).
I would try wiping the area with denatured alcohol and see if it will go away. If on the off chance that the white is caused by water the the alcohol will help get rid of it. If that does not work I would take the finish off and start again.
Polyurethane also has a tendency to look cloudy if put on in thick layers. The finish could have pooled around the joints if it was put on too thick.
Charlie
The cloudiness is actually up the entire side and not just the joints. I will try the alcohol and see what it does. I really don't want to have to strip it and start again, but that's the breaks I guess.
**Edit**
It's 5 layers of rub on poly and I've tried fine sandpaper and I just tried denatured alcohol to clean out moisture, either ebony has solid black portions that look cloudy through a satin finish poly and deep brown sections that show up under the finish or it's under one of the coats of poly that I did not clean up the surface enough. Looks like I can live with the way it looks (and it does have an interesting look) or I can strip the finish and try again.
OK, after a couple days of searching I've come up with an answer to my own question and I'm going to post it in here for anyone that was following this thread for an answer.
Spaz was right in that poly finishes can have moisture issues, from what I read this can be cause by using the poly in an environment beyond suggested temperatures. Granted it has been cold here but this is So Cal, I don't think I was using it below suggested temperatures, but it has also been overcast outside. I've read moisture in the air can be an issue as well and cause a cloudy finish.
The other thing I read was some exotic woods have natural oils that can cause issues with a poly finish if not done properly. Woods such as Ebony are one of these woods that can have issues and a cloudy finish is the outcome.
From what I have read I should wait 2-3 weeks to let the poly completely cure and see if the cloudy look goes away (it may if it is on the outermost coat). If it does not I will have to strip it and start again, bummer.
(thanks for pointing me in the right direction spaz)
It is called blushing by we wood workers. It normally happens when the humidity is to high. Keep the wood and finish above 50F, 60-70F is safer. Also make sure the ambiant humidity is no higher than 80%.
Wipe on a thin layer of finish, let it dry for at least the recommended length. If it says 4 hours, give it 6. Use some 0000 steel wool or 2000 grit wet paper to buff the finish between coats. I prefer the 2000 grit wet paper over wool. Steel wool is dusty, wet paper is clean, when finishing, clean is good. Skip mineral spirits or alchahol. They both leave a residue. If you want to wipe the surface between coats, use asotone. It dries instantly and leaves no residue behind to contaminate the finish.
Quote:
Originally Posted by cannonfodder
Cannonfodder; Where were you and your we wood workers a week ago? Seriously though, thanks for the help, suppose I'm going to have to take my lumps if I ever want to join the ranks of we wood workers.
I was moving into my new home and setting the wood shop back up, and finishing this beauty.
Damn that is gorgeous, I hope to one day have the skills/tools for something like that.