Posted by Mark Bronkalla on January 08, 2003 at 11:13:50:
In Reply to: Re: brightwork/ epoxy dimples,pimples!!!??*!? posted by Steve on January 07, 2003 at 17:59:47:
Yes you can. If you are very carefull to not buff through the top layer. Many (older style - pre VOC regulations) car finishes were of a solvent type such as a laquer where subsequent coats would melt into the preceeeding layers creating a monolithic finish. Varnishes are a layerd finish wheich mechanically adhere to the prior layers. If you buff throught the top layer you MAY start to see the layer edges and it looks like a faint tree ring effect.
I commonly will buff out and then wax (whether boator furniture) to clean up the shine and some scratches. For small areas, a hard rubber block, (like a sanding block), cotton cloth and rottenstone with water works well.
The hard part is getting yourself stop and not getting too carried away with making it shine. When using the boat, IT WILL get scratched. You don't want to anguish over the scratches that occur with use. Many of the smallest blemishes are just plain invisible under normal wear after a few uses.
Remember between coats of finish, it is a waste of time and actually will cause adhesion problems if you sand / polish to too fine a level. DO NOT sand finer than the label on the can says says between coats. Lack of adhesion may not show up for months as peeling or alligator skin type lesions (how I know this is a topic of a future column).