Question
I use only water based lacquer and I always knew to never use stearated sandpaper with this kind of product because it could cause fisheyes. I recently read in "Understanding Wood Finishing" by Bob Flexner that this isn't true. He said it is okay to use this kind of sandpaper on water based lacquer. Any opinions?
Forum Responses
(Finishing Forum)
Form contributor K:
He's wrong. He also doesn't see any problem using Pledge - just dump more smoothie in to control the silicone. Check out Target's website for more info on stearated paper. However, 3M's paper is supposed to be okay.
Bob also makes a good argument for the use of Pledge and other polishes that contain silicone. The polish lasts longer than other types that evaporate quickly and it's readily available and easy to use. Refinishers can complain all they want; people are still going to use polishes that do the job well.
In the refinishing end of the business, contamination is so common that it's wise to just expect fisheyes will occur and take steps to prevent them from the start. Using a little Smoothie or an oily woods sealer is a simple solution.