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USS Constellation 1797 Build Log...

  • Thread starter Thread starter KAYA61
  • Start date Start date
  • Watchers Watchers 7
Today or tomorrow I will apply normal and fine sanding, clean it, and then apply 2 coats of varnish. We will all see the result.
 
What a difference that second layer of planking makes. Well done!
 
Which varnish would be best to apply after the second coat? For example, should a filler varnish or a clear coat be applied? What are your thoughts on this?
 
KAYA61 said:
I thought of a filler varnish to fill the sanding marks and some fine capillary gaps. That's why I asked.
Click to expand...
If you have sanding marks, then you should continue sanding, with the grain, using progressively finer grits. For me, 320 grit would be the absolute minimum, possibly going to 400 or 600. Do it in stages though. Don't go from 120 directly to 400 - it just won't work. Also, discard your sandpaper once it stops producing dust. Trying to sand with worn out paper is like trying to cut your wood pieces with a butter knife. A woodturning mentor of mine once told me, "Use sandpaper as if someone else were paying for it." Trying to stretch it beyond its useful life will only frustrate you.

Using a filler to hide sanding marks will do just the opposite - it will accent them, especially as the wood naturally darkens with age, but the filler doesn't.
 
KAYA61 said:
I thought of a filler varnish to fill the sanding marks and some fine capillary gaps. That's why I asked.
Click to expand...
If you were making a model that would be painted, you might need wood putty to fill in the gaps, but for unpainted models, as Russ suggested, continue with a finer sandpaper.
 
@RussF and @mtbediz1 Thank you so much for your advice. I had already sanded in stages, but there was only one spot that left a mark. That's why I asked about the filler varnish. I had previously used 220 grit sandpaper, then 240. I already have 320 grit sandpaper. We'll see what I can do.
 
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