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Pitted finish

Dean Center

Dean Center

Joined
May 4, 2010
Messages
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Location
Bozeman, MT
I recently finished a piece of apple that surprised me by having some rot which really only showed up during finishing. Before I applited the finish, it looked like an interesting mottled area, but after applying tung oil, I now havea bunch of little pits on the surface. I could just leave it and call it 'antiqued' but I'd like the option of a smooth surface. Any thoughts on how I can achieve one? (Need to know by Friday)
Thanks
 
What finish did you apply? The pitting may fill with additional coats, or you may help it along by using a slurry of finish and sanding dust if it's a varnish of some sort.

Shellac in high concentration fills pits quickly, and will accept other mechanically bonding overcoats.
 
Sounds like the pitted surface could be two things

tear out that leaves little valleys and you can sand off and apply more coats until level

a bit of orange peal if the finish didn't flow well to level and you can sand and apply more coats
 
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