Question about my finishing process

[Raif Harik]

Hi, I've been using osmo polyx-oil 3043. This week I did a batch of pieces.
Here are my questions/issues
1) I've been applying and wiping off with the white scratchless pads. When wiping off it kind of leaves streaks. The pads are not really absorbent. Is this ok given point #2 below? or should I use a cloth
2) I have the beall buffing system. This week I applied 1 coat osmo, next day 1 coat osmo next day buffed with red and white compounds.
a) I let the osmo cure for a day before buffing. One of the piece had streaks from wiping with pad and I couldn't really get them out with the buffing pads ( this piece had actually been finished with osmo once before so it's possible these marks were from the first time ). Should I not let it cure before buffing? should I let it completely cure before buffing? I kind of feel that once it cures fully it will be really hard and I wont be able to get the wiping marks out. Maybe I secretly want that to be true because it would mean that osmo is super tough, or maybe I want it not to be true so I can not worry about when to buffing. I don't know
3) I finish sanded my pieces, which were all pecan wood with 400 grit paper. After applying the finish I could see fine sanding marks when looking at the right angle. Super annoying.
a) what the hell? should I sand up to like 800 or something?
b) should I perhaps buff with red and white compound before I apply the osmo?


Thanks for your thoughts. Sorry if this is long and incomprehensible
Raif

 

[Curt Vogt]

Howdy Raif, I do not have any experience with Osmo so cannot address that. However, your sanding to 400 or higher is something I do. I have found it is very dependent on the type of wood or even the orientation of the grain if 400 is sufficient to remove visible scratches. I usually consider 400 as a minimum in my small detail style projects. Going up to 500-600 or higher and inspecting my project with my Geezer Glasses and raking light can highlight my sins where I need to go back and do a better job of sanding.
I know when I shoot for a high gloss, the sanding is best above even the 600 grit before I go to any level of buffing. Of course, if you start talking acrylics or anything like that, the sanding needs to go way higher before heading to the buffing wheel. Best of luck and I look forward to other folks response on the Osmo part.

 

[Paul Vechart]

I started using Osmo 3043 last year and have been happy with the results. I normally sand to 400 grit then use a clean room pad to wipe on the Finish. I’ll let it sit for no longer than 10 minutes and wipe it off with a soft paper towel. I never get any streaks left on the surface. I’ll let it dry for 24 hours before the second coat. I don’t do any buffing other than a hand buffing with a cotton rag. Osmo will dry in 24 hours but it will take a few weeks or longer to fully cure. I would try the paper toweling to wipe off the excess Osmo since it’s absorbent. Hope this helps.