With 2 posts going at the same time, I thought it might help to share my method. Pictures are of an 18" diameter x 7" deep once turned soft maple bowl. It has a stain applied that was made by boiling water adding turmeric. Curiously I sold 24 of these to the same patron. Paid for my Oneway 2436 in this one job!
Sand to 220 grit off the lathe with random orbit sanders, blow off the dust.
Use Minwax Quick Dry Poly in the satin sheen, straight from the can. Be sure to properly stir the finish to thoroughly mix in the flattening agent in the bottom of the can!
Fold up a 3 layer cotton cloth applicator pad.
Dip just an edge in the finish and start applying on the outside. Leave a dry spot so you can still hold it and then apply the finish to the inside.
I fold up a "V" shaped dull bandsaw blade to sit the bowl on when you have nearly all the bowl covered. The teeth points will not show up in the wet finish by the time you have 3 coats on.
Touch up the dry spots while it sits on the bandsaw blade standoff. Let dry a minimum of 24 hours. I find the first coat takes longer to dry than coats 2 and 3.
Don't overwork the finish. Wipe it on, let it alone.
Sand the first cured coat with a foam backed 320 grit pad.
Apply the second coat, sand again with 320 pad.
Apply the third coat.
This time sand with 320 pad to flatten the finish and rub it down with 0000 steel wool.
You get a smooth as a babies bottom finish.
DISCARD ALL THE COTTON PADS IN A PROPER METHOD SO YOU DON'T BURN DOWN YOUR SHOP!
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