the final finish until all the pores is filled.
Apply the final coat very lightly, using the fingertips, rubbing in and smoothing as you go along. To get a
fine finish, smooth out each drop of oil over as broad a surface as possible. Rub each drop in
completely until it starts to pull as you rub your finger over it. Cover each area of the stock turn, going on
to the next without going back over a section already done. Make certain all the stock is covered
completely.
Allow this coat to dry in the sun and wind. Apply a thin second coat as you did the first, and hang the
stock up to dry again. Repeat this process until the stock takes on a sheen. Usually about five coats are
required to get a good finish.
You might have to apply more coats on more porous woods.
If you prefer a high gloss, wipe the stock clean with a special stock rubbing compound, and apply one
final coat of stock oil.
If you prefer a rubbed finish, rub the entire stock very lightly with pumice, rubbing just enough to remove
some of the gloss but leaving a satin glow look to the finish.
Whether you prefer the high gloss or rubbed look, the final step is to wax the stock completely with good
quality paste wax, rubbing until hard. I find that a good paste floor wax is hard to beat. Finish off by
wiping with a soft flannel cloth.
ABRASIVES
Some of the abrasives we need are sandpaper, and steel wool. Sandpaper is a sheet abrasive and
should include papers in grades from 1, 00, 220, 400, and 600. Steel wool to me is another very
important to do for finishing. You should have steel wool in grades from 1, 00, and 0000. Also you in
the masking tape and clean rags for cleaning up the finish.
SANDING THE WOOD
After you have applied the filler and sealer, the surface will be rough under your fingertips. The grain will
have risen again and there will still be traces of the filler that you did not remove. When you sand, the
sanding knocks down the high points of the range and smooth it out. If you are sanding by hand with a
rubber or wooden block, start with 150-grade sandpaper. Remember, always sand with the grain, and
never across it. After sanding thoroughly with the 150-grade sandpaper, switch to 280 or 300 grade
paper and then go over the work again. After completing use a 400 or finer grade of wet or dry paper.
The final sanding must be done by hand. When you sand, wet the paper often to clear it. Have a bucket
or container of water and get the paper in it before starting, then shake it once or twice and sand gently
until the paper is almost dry then rinse the paper again and moved to a new area. After going over the
complete surface, the surface will be as smooth as glass even before you have wipe it was a tack cloth.