Question from a rookie finisher...

[Keith Starosta]

I have a small project that I have been finishing over the last few days. After applying stain, I applied four coats of General's Seal-A-Cell varnish, sanding with 320 grit in between coats. Here is my question...now that I have applied the fourth and final coat of General's, is that it? Am I to now rub this finish out? I want this item to gleam, and show of the curly maple grain. What am I to do.....if anything?

Thanks!!

- Keith

[Howard Acheson]

Seal A Cell is an oil/varnish mixture not intended to provide a hard, glossy finish. It's very similar to Watco or any other oil/varnish danish oil. It's intent is to use it as a first coat and then finish with multiple coats of Arm R Seal. Arm R Seal is a thinned wiping varnish that will cure hard and glossy.

There is no way to effectively "finish the finish" with the Seal A Cell. It's going to take week or so for the Seal A Cell to cure enough to be overcoated with a film finish. You can use any oil based varnish or poly varnish. If you prefer to use a wiping varnish, you can make your own by mixing you favorite varnish or poly varnish 50/50 with mineral spirits.