Originally Posted by
Stew Denton
Dom,
This is the 3rd time I have tried to reply, and have been kicked out of the reply section twice now, for whatever unknown cause, so this will be brief so hopefully I can get it typed before something goes wrong again. (I will skip several details I have now put it twice only to loose them.)
In short I use a small fairly good quality natural bristle brush and brush on solvent based poly U. I normally have had to thin just a little. I do this by putting some of the Poly U in a small plastic container, Some thing like a soft butter tub works well, but I use an even smaller container often. My wife uses liquid laundry soap, and the small screw on cap for the gallon size container is just right.
If the poly U is too thick i slowly add very small amounts of paint thinner or mineral spirits until I think it is thin enough. I made a holder out small diameter all thread, securing the saw handle with the all thread though the saw nut hole, the highest one on the handle and put on a thin coat of finish beginning at the bottom and working up. (I am now thinking it might be better to start at the top and work down so runs will be chased down the handle instead of back over previously varnished handle.
I use thin coats, follow the directions on the can about re-coating, very finely and lightly sand or light to medium steel wool between coats followed by tack cloth between coats.
After the last coat dries, I try to burnish bad spots with the back of one of my finger nails.
Finally when dry I paste wax.
It is easy to get the finish too thin. I think it levels out and causes the brush strokes to level out better if it isn't too thin.
Stew