June 8, 2013
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Varnishing
This morning, after eating breakfast and getting a loaf of bread going, I went out to the shop to varnish the desk. I finally found some of my paint stuff but there were very few brushes. I finally settled on a sponge applicator, although sponge sometimes leaves more bubbles in the varnish than a good soft brush does. The nicest thing about a sponge applicator is that it costs less than a dollar and you can throw it away instead of cleaning it up with thinner.
Like I said, I use polyurethane, usually the semigloss. I wish this weren’t fast drying. I’d like the bubbles to have plenty of time to pop.
You can’t really see the contrast between the varnish and the plain stain in these photos, but if you could see the surface at an angle it would be quite obvious. I think this first one captures the stain color better than the second.
The drawer pulls look glossy and cheerful. Here you can see the shine.
If the bubbles in the varnish don’t pop, I’ll have to sand everything and give it a second coat. Maybe I’ll have invested in a decent brush by then.
After varnishing, I raked Tropical Storm Andrea out of the yard, vast amounts of Spanish moss and twigs. This is what the storm looked like over Tampa the other day:
The waves were breaking on the concrete barriers along the causeway and spraying the cars.
And I had left the windows of my house open… (haven’t gotten the ducts clean yet so we’re still using just ceiling fans and natural ventilation). When I got home that day, I was amazed that it hadn’t blown against our windows. It did start raining hard shortly after I got there, and I had to close some of the windows because of the wind.
All this week the lawn was littered with twigs, branches, and Spanish moss. Today I raked it into piles that I’ll eventually drag out to the curb for Thursday’s trash pickup.
Bread is ready. Time for lunch, right after I go to the gym.
Comments (23)
Love fresh bread. But, I try to avoid starches. Maybe just a couple of patacones.
that wood has beautiful texture. glad you easily cleaned up from A. that highway right next to the ocean is so cool
you are a man of many trades. I admire that about you. both the desk and the bread look good.
Ooh, that bread looks so good!
I love the quarter-cut grain on that. I hope your bubbles all rose out of the poly.
Thanks for mentioning bread! I’ve got to get my starter out for tomorrow’s baking, and surely would have forgot.
Rub the desk with wet sandpaper (the black ones 000, and water, or thinner) wipe away the white film, and then apply one final coat. Use a brush.
Your desk will have a smoothness you didn’t think possible.
Trust me Tim…I refinished antiques for 15 years, was one of the best in Ontario.
@Bricker59 - Or if you want to be worry free….finalize it by putting on the Minwax wax (for dark coloured surfaces) with superfine steel wool, then buff with a clean soft cloth.
Then you can leave drinks and not worry about a ring.
“k’ sorry.
Great job on the desk!
…so I’m glad you are keeping busy with projects. 
May I have a slice of bread?
I know you must miss your bride like crazy
HUGS!!!
I love the idea of making bread, not sure I would be good at it!
Well, you’re not sitting in a corner & sighing over Alicia’s absence! Good for you–so productive.
Most varnishes aren’t worth much after being outdoors in the sun and the rain. For outdoors work it is marine varnishes for me.
I have heard that after cleaning the shower tiles it is good to put on a car wax on the tiles. A lot of cleaning if done frequently is better than saving the chore for later.
Interesting bread container. I suppose you used an oil in it so the bread won’t stick?
@Inciteful - I love patacones, but not the hassle of making them.
@adamswomanback - Give me an address and I’ll mail you a slice.
@Bricker59 - I might do both. This first coat isn’t by any means perfect but it’s looking very very good. The bubbles all popped, and it still feels just a little tacky after 24 hours. I’ll let it sit a couple of days and then sand. My dad used to finish things he built with car wax. The only thing was that his finish was satin rather than gloss.Does the Minwax shine? Do you have to renew it periodically?
@andreas_d - Bread machines are fairly foolproof. All you need is a recipe and it’ll come out great every time, as long as the ingredients (especially the yeast) are fine.
@PPhilip - I used marine varnish for the staircase in my old house, because I wanted a good durable finish. But any finish will eventually wear down if it’s in the weather.
The bread machine’s lining is such that the bread shakes right out, no need for greasing.
I’ll have to try waxing the shower grout. Sounds like it could really help.
@HappierHeathen - The finish is looking great today! No need to sand for smoothness, only to make sure the next coat goes on well. It’s still just a bit tacky so I’ll let it sit a couple of days.
@promisesunshine - It’s actually a causeway across the bay from St. Petersburg to Tampa. I drive it every day. It’s very pleasant except sometimes the traffic.
maybe you’ll take a photo in the sunshine?
once day, i will learn how to make bread and farm vegetables. you’re the man tim – seriously
@l0311879l - I haven’t done much gardening, but bread is just a matter of following the instructions that come with the machine. Seriously. You just have to have flour (preferably bread flour but it doesn’t matter), yeast, sugar, salt, oil or butter, and warm water. You put it in the machine, push a button or two, and three hours later your house smells amazing and you start to put on weight.
@promisesunshine - It’s raining but I’ll post later tonight.
The wood of the desk looks lovely! Amazing storm/water shots!