Need some finishing help

[revwarguy]

This may be a bit elementary for many on this list, but I need some advice about finishing wood carvings. I need to use oak.

Part 1 - how do you minmize and clean up the "fuzzies" that seem to persist in a resulting CNC router carving? What techniques can be used to clean them up, and what is the best way to prevent them? Should I apply a coat of poly first to minimize top edge tear out?

Part 2 - Assuming a sign, do you carve, spray the letters with a finish spray, and then sand the surface to get rid of the over spray? What are some of the steps others have used to make a nice looking finish on a v-carve sign?


Thanks,

[SPEEDRE]

1.) The fuzzies will persist, depending on the species of wood and quality of same,(quarter, rift, plain), but as far as cleanup goes, try a sanding sponge, they come in various grits sometimes three to a pack. Easy to get into those seemingly hard spots, they're thin and flexible.
2.) Yes and yes. Each sign type guy has his own technique but generally what you said is the predominant idea.

[Pplug]

I run my v-carved signs through a planner, shaving off about .01 of the surface after I spray painted the v carved letters. Then I sand as necessary and follow up with ether laquer(indoors) or spar urethane(outside).

For 3-d signs I use a worn ball nosed bit of the same diameter as the carving in a dremel to take off some of the fuzz around letters or features. Then I use a sanding disk in the dremel for everything else.

Sanding is one of the most time consuming parts of the project. I recommend using very sharp bits to minimize the problem.