The Simple Secret to Ultra Smooth and Glassy Finishes (Quick Tip)

The Simple Secret to Ultra Smooth and Glassy Finishes (Quick Tip)

Want your finishes to feel as smooth as a piece of glass? Grab a Scotch-Brite pad.

After your last coat of finish has dried, buff the entire surface with one of these abrasive pads.

The ultra fine grade aluminum oxide abrasive quickly creates a polished surface that’ll have you running your fingers over your finishes with delight.

Unlike steel wool, these pads won’t splinter, shred, or rust — meaning they can last for ages and won’t mess up your finish.

I like to use them as the final step in Rubio Monocoat finishes, or even between coats if you do more than one.

More of a shellac aficcionado? Put a bit of paste wax on a Scotch-Brite pad and buff out the entire surface after your final coat.

You’ll be amazed at how much smoother and glass-like your finishes will become.




What’s your secret for ultra smooth finishes? Let us know in the comments below!

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4 comments

Mark C.

Mark C.

I love you , man. Your tip on the ultra finish using Scotch-brute pads was a solid tip and really helped me put my cutting boards over the top! Thank you, thank you for being that ace up my sleeve.

I love you , man. Your tip on the ultra finish using Scotch-brute pads was a solid tip and really helped me put my cutting boards over the top! Thank you, thank you for being that ace up my sleeve.

BBM

BBM

Why maroon instead of one of the white pads?

Why maroon instead of one of the white pads?

Rich

Rich

Instead of a Scotch Brite pad I use a small folded piece of brown paper from the heavy weight shopping bags to rub out finish between coats and the final coat. Removes all the nibs without dulling the finish.

Instead of a Scotch Brite pad I use a small folded piece of brown paper from the heavy weight shopping bags to rub out finish between coats and the final coat. Removes all the nibs without dulling the finish.

George

George

I do a fair bit of glueing up for cutting boards and often I cut thin strips (.05-
.06 thousandths of an inch. With out using calipers it would be difficult to cut them correctly and consistently. Thanks for your talk about using them!

I do a fair bit of glueing up for cutting boards and often I cut thin strips (.05-
.06 thousandths of an inch. With out using calipers it would be difficult to cut them correctly and consistently. Thanks for your talk about using them!

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