Question re: Brown Paper Bag Trick

[jillsy]

Hi all,

A few of you have mentioned the "Brown Paper Bag Trick" for sanding and smoothing. I'd like to try it with a new carving I just completed.

I know this is supposed to give me a nice smooth finish. My question is: When is the best time to do this? After priming? After painting? After varnishing? Or after all these steps?

If I used it after varnishing, would it give me a slight aged affect? Can I use it to dull the shine if I'm using a gloss?

Thanks, I tried finding the thread where this was posted, but it was like seaching for a needle in a haystack!

Jillsy

[Bob_in_TN]

Are you sure that your search wasn't more like finding a needle in a brown paper bag?

[AlArchie]

This is just my opinion, and there are probably others, but I'd say the best time would be around 4:37 PM, give or take 5 minutes.

Al

[Bartster]

jillsy,

when i use the trick i use it after i have antiqued with boiled linseed oil and given a light coat of deft that has completly dried.
right before i wax the carving.

bart

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

I always thought brown paper bags were for the unknown comic?

[jillsy]

I think you've all been sniffing too much turpentine!

[Doug Ridley]

I thought they were for New Orleans Saints fans.
(But I'm thinking about wearing one to the Kentucky basketball games).

[Krum]

Well after I stopped laughing reading these replies! I use the bag between coats. The reason for using the bag it doesn't leave scratchmarks like sandpaper. And you don't know that until you start adding a finish that you still have small scratches. UGH! That adds more time. I am not sure about it making gloss dull. Never tried it on glossy finishes. Try a sample piece first. Good luck!
Krum

[Shimmy]

I use it on my chipcarved boxes in between 3-to 4 coats of Satin finish spray.It does not dull it. It gives a very smooth finish.It is like sanding between Varnishing.Does a good job.I don't use it on in the round carvings.

[Claude]

Originally Posted by jillsy

...
I know this is supposed to give me a nice smooth finish. My question is: When is the best time to do this? After priming? After painting? After varnishing? Or after all these steps?

If I used it after varnishing, would it give me a slight aged affect? Can I use it to dull the shine if I'm using a gloss?
...
Jillsy

Jillsy: The simple answer to your questions is "yes!"

I have best results if I give the carving a little brown paper bag buff after each coat dries. I just recently finished two walnut bases for carvings with water-based ceramcoat satin varnish instead of minwax gloss, just to see how it looks. On one, I waited until I thought I had enough coats, and then buffed it (took eight coats of thinned varnish). On the other, I buffed after each coat of thinned varnish. Only took five coats to achieve the same finish.

I grant you, this sample of two pieces is not statistically significant Smile but, it worked for me.

Claude