An Informative Article About Rubbing-out a New Finish

[Cody K]

I'm currently working on two machines requiring new finishes, and considering what I want them to look like when they're done. Today I found an excellent illustrated article

http://www.woodworkersjournal.com/Main/ ... -5261.aspx

about rubbing down a new finish to achieve smoothness and, what I'm looking for, a softer glow than a shine. I first saw this technique used by my neighbor as a kid in Connecticut, Mr. Bill Kocher (Sr.) when he began to restore cylinder phonographs in the mid-'60s. He'd refinish cases -- otherwise hopeless ones -- and then bring down the obviously-new gloss this way. I owe Bill a debt of gratitude: he not only got me interested in phonographs, but he sold me a Victor II for twelve dollars when I was 13, which opened up a whole world of 78s. And beyond that, I'm only now realizing just how much I learned from him.

So anyway, this is a technique that's familiar to many, but though I've used it many times, I've learned a few new things from this article, and thought I might share it with the forum. I don't think it's been highlighted here before (too irresponsible tonight to search), but even if so, it might could use a second look.

Cody

[FloridaClay]

Thanks for posting!

Clay