Any DIYers out there?

[raleighnut]

I'm delighted to say that I've followed your advice on the Nitromors and it's come up a treat:
View attachment 43193

In fact, once I got started, by giving it a preparatory clean, I found that most of the paint specks were emulsion, and a bit of vigorous scrubbing with a sugar soap solution and one of those green abrasive washing-up sponges got rid of most of it. Nitromors did for the rest.

Now, I don't think I'm going to bother with any sanding - it's super-smooth as it is (100 years of hands going up & down) but I was wondering about this varnish/spirit solution. In my ignorance, I'd just assume that the thing to do would be to get stuck in with the Briwax onto the bare wood. Is that not the way to go? I don't really want any kind of a varnishy finish. What's the thinking behind the vcarnish/.spirit? Needless to say, I've got no problem with it, and I'd be more than happy to do it if it's the right thing to do...I'd just like to understand why wax on bare wood isn't the right way to approach it. Thanks.

Varnish is too thick to apply smoothly, that's why you see such "blebby" efforts from many DIYers Give it a quick sand with 400 grit paper (You will have raised the grain slightly with the water) a quick dust down with a clean paint brush then just a thinned down coat of varnish 60/40, Denib that with 400 grit when hard then clear Briwax ( the varnish just gives a slightly more hard wearing surface and then the Briwax can permeate it as they both contain white spirit and so are compatible) . Looking good so far though

 

[swee'pea99]

Varnish is too thick to apply smoothly, that's why you see such "blebby" efforts from many DIYers Give it a quick sand with 400 grit paper (You will have raised the grain slightly with the water) a quick dust down with a clean paint brush then just a thinned down coat of varnish 60/40, Denib that with 400 grit when hard then clear Briwax ( the varnish just gives a slightly more hard wearing surface and then the Briwax can permeate it as they both contain white spirit and so are compatible) . Looking good so far though

Ok, thanks for that. Just so I'm absolutely clear, I want 60% varnish, 40% white spirit, yes? Also, I found some paper in the shed says it's Grade 00 - Grit No FLOUR - will that do? It seems very fine.

 

[raleighnut]

Ok, thanks for that. Just so I'm absolutely clear, I want 60% varnish, 40% white spirit, yes? Also, I found some paper in the shed says it's Grade 00 - Grit No FLOUR - will that do? It seems very fine.

Flour grit is the right stuff for the Denibbing (taking the shine off the varnish) you will struggle to buy that nowadays which is why I didn't suggest it but the pre-sand needs something a little bit coarser like 400 grit and yes 60 varnish to 40 white spirit. Wet and dry used dry is also OK but again 400.

 

[swee'pea99]

180s no good, no? I have some of that in the shed...

 

[raleighnut]

180s no good, no? I have some of that in the shed...

Bit coarse but OK if you go gently and always with/along the grain a quick wipe down with kitchen roll dampened with white spirit will show you what the finish will be like.

 

[swee'pea99]

Bit coarse but OK if you go gently and always with/along the grain a quick wipe down with kitchen roll dampened with white spirit will show you what the finish will be like.

Thanks. I suppose if it does end up on the rough side, there's nothing to stop me going out & getting some 400....it's not like I'm going to do any unfixable damage. Thanks for all your help on this. Much appreciated.

 

[swee'pea99]

I promised to return with - ta da! - the finished product:

I fink it come up lovely. Thanks for all suggestions, particularly Raleighnut, whose recommendations I ended up following almost to a T (the only exception being two coats of the varnish/white spirit, on the advice of a mate).

(The pic reveals the odd tiny fleck of paint still there, but to be perfectly honest, I didn't even realise till I looked at the pic. Who looks at a handrail from 5"? To all intents & purposes it's now immaculate.)

 

[Shut Up Legs]

Nice job! Now go tell the cat to stop weeing on it!

 

[swee'pea99]

Bloody cheek! Cat would need ropes and crampons to get a purchase on that. Also it would have to get past t'hound...

 

[EltonFrog]

I promised to return with - ta da! - the finished product:
View attachment 43568
I fink it come up lovely. Thanks for all suggestions, particularly Raleighnut, whose recommendations I ended up following almost to a T (the only exception being two coats of the varnish/white spirit, on the advice of a mate).

(The pic reveals the odd tiny fleck of paint still there, but to be perfectly honest, I didn't even realise till I looked at the pic. Who looks at a handrail from 5"? To all intents & purposes it's now immaculate.)

Are you going to paint it white now? I think that would look good.

 

[swee'pea99]

Are you going to paint it white now? I think that would look good.

You wanna watch it mate...I'll set the dog on you. And the cat. And I know a bloke hires out leopards by the hour, so...

 

[raleighnut]

I promised to return with - ta da! - the finished product:
View attachment 43568
I fink it come up lovely. Thanks for all suggestions, particularly Raleighnut, whose recommendations I ended up following almost to a T (the only exception being two coats of the varnish/white spirit, on the advice of a mate).

(The pic reveals the odd tiny fleck of paint still there, but to be perfectly honest, I didn't even realise till I looked at the pic. Who looks at a handrail from 5"? To all intents & purposes it's now immaculate.)

I would have actually said 2-3 thin coats but you'd said that you didn't want a varnished look for the rail, 1 coat was just as a seal for the wax finish and your friend was right that you can put on 2 (I've been known to put 4-5 thin coats on furniture when a high gloss finish was required, de-nibbed between each coat) Does look good though well done.