I am ready to apply the second gloss coat of Waterlox High Gloss finish. All along I have had problems with bubbles.
I am using a 10″ lambswool applicator manufactured by U.S. LAMBSWOOL, FREEPORT NEW YORK. I had problems with it shedding fibers at first. Support at Waterlox suggested that I beat the loose hair out, and keep using the same applicator. That worked.
I have followed the advice in the Waterlox PDF for using a rollerpan, and the aplicator, but I still get a lot of bubbles, especially when I begin an application.
A lot of bubbles appear when I pour the finish into the pan
Waterlox support said that didn’t need to brush them out, but I found I did, as they leave imperfections when they dry.
Mineral spirits clean the lambswool pretty good, but does not do a good job cleaning my natural bristle brush. What do you suggest for cleaning my brush. (I always clean my brushes w/ mineral spirits to remove oil based paints w/ good results)
Does anyone have any suggestions?
Replies
Always, Always shake, rub, and wash out new brushes and rollcovers, applicators before using, even the best will have loose fibers or hairs. A great roller or brush is a broken in one.
Shaking or heavy stirring causes bubbles in the mix, including pouring off. Air in the mix is a bad thing. So stir very slowly, and then pour right up against the side of the pan like a great beer, the more you baby clear finish the better off you are. Treat it like its living, like yeast.
I have used some that I freaked on, but the bubbles went away, just make sure you take care of the damage to the first coat before adding the second, I think you will have better results. A lambswool can create bubbles as well if you bear down on it, so try to finesse it.
-zen
Thanks for the info, do you have any suggestions about what to clean my brush with. (I use it to flatten out the bubbles and to cut in with). Mineral spirits dosn't get the Waterlox out .
I have to admit I have never used the product you are using, but many poly type products are hard to get out of brushes. Im hoping you are using natural bristle, a metal brush comb will help. I lay brushes flat on a surface and press an old tooth brush into them sometimes, just be careful to pick up the toothbrush or other implement on the backstroke. If you dont have a brushcomb, think of something like a fleacomb.
Im not sure if it is poly, but one of the clear products you can use ammonia, and whichever product it was it worked great. Give it a shot if you have some, I dont think you will hurt anything.
When cleaning with your solvent, (I use a coffee can with the ribs on the side), if you have a few containers, put just a small amount in the bottom of the can, load the brush and rub it against the ribs on the can, once it looks like the thinner is gone, pour it into another container and go again with another small amount of thinner. Do this until the brush seems clear. Pour off into a bigger container, and let the used thinner settle. The solids will go to the bottom. You can pour off the good thinner in a week or so. I know guys who have used thinner for 20 years by doing this.
Feel free to requestion,
-zen
A lot of time hot air will pop the bubbles while the finish is still wet at least... try a hair dryer.
borgward:
When using waterlox, as well as poly, I don't use a pan at all. I just pour the waterlox directly on the floor (carefully, of course) and spread using a lambswool applicator. Perhaps the roller pan you are using is introducing air bubbles when you pull the applicator out.
The other thing to watch for is contamination of the applicator with loose fibers or even chemicals used in the manufacturing process. I always use a new applicator that I break in first by rubbing the loose fibers out and by saturating with a solvent compatible with the finish. This gets rid of the potential contamination.
Try skipping the roller pan.
J Painter
Clean the brushes with the solvent for waterlux. I am not familiar with this product, is it an epoxy? Most epoxy's clean up with acetone or ammonia. You get bubbles from pouring, as another post mentioned if this is an epoxy you can pop the bubbles with a heat gun or hair dryer.With epoxy it is best to start out with the room temperature warm, then reduce or turn off heat. This eliminates bubbles, you won't need the hair dryer.
mike