Clear finish question

[Paladin]

Greetings People,

I am putting the finishing touches on a piece of base molding which I stripped, sanded & re-finished. Said molding is around seventy, or so years old and is custom cut cypress. I saw somewhere on line a few weeks ago (And now can't locate) a step-by-step page where the author demonstrated how to apply clear finish without leaving the streak marks of a brush. Does anyone here have any idea how to do this? Thanks

[mross_pitt]

What kind of clear finish?

Could use lambswool, an old t-shirt, etc.

[Paladin]

The minwax polyurethane stuff. Would an old shirt really work? I would think it would absorb most of the product.

[barrett]

I use sponge brushes to poly my doors, no brush marks!

[wletson]

Be careful if you use a sponge brush they are prone to leaving bubbles. A cotton rag can certainly work. Wiping on the finish works well, it will take a few extra coats as each one is very thin. Check your local paint store, there are products sold that are specifically for a wipe on application.

[Paladin]

Well thank you for all of the input, I'll post pics as soon as I have some results. By the way, what's with the penguins?

[sooth]

Generally, in an older house, some brush marks add a bit of texture and character. Otherwise, if you want a perfect, flawless finish, spraying is the way to go (but of course, you need to do this outdoors or in a spray booth, and you need a special spray gun and mask).

[Old_House_Jim]

Agree with Sooth. In old houses there are usually little things that all add up to the correct old house character Things like the right amount of lighting, period colors and, of course, textures. One of those textures is what's often referred to as a "ropey finish." This is a characteristic texture that a carefully brushed on paint or clear finish gives.

This finish was purposeful, not the result of lack of ability. House painters, who also finished hardwoods, were perfectly able to produce a smooth silken finish, but the characteristics of a ropey finish were desirable, then, much as they are now in old homes.

It is actually quite difficult to fully reproduce this finish today, since oil-lead-based paints, which are outlawed, did it so well.

Depending on your goal, new renovation or handsome restoration, that brushed-on finish may add just the right amount of classic "oldness" to your home.