ElBrad t1_j6cdikc wrote on January 29, 2023 at 9:17 AM

I can't say I've ever used a roller for finishes, but I'd probably hazard a guess to say it's not the best way.

Personally, I've used a lint-free cloth or foam brush for applying a polyurethane finish, and regular brushes for stain.

Those vertical strips look to be the actual grain of the wood though. What grit did you finish on when you sanded? If sanding isn't the cause, then what about applying a wood conditioner first?

Daniepi3 OP t1_j6csbvk wrote on January 29, 2023 at 12:33 PM

Thanks for your insight! Might just go down the brush route. Any recommendations for a 1.9metre bit of timber (if size matters lol)?

The vertical strips are definitely the grain of the wood. The grit I used was too harsh for the timber (180). I didn't have any other sandpaper on hand at the time and I didn't care about the finish too much, I just wanted to ensure the colour was the one I wanted. But yeah I'm not sure if sanding caused the horizontal roller lines (I hope not), especially since the RHS was the second coat of stain (applied ~24h+ later). I used 240 grit sandpaper to lightly sand the first coat before applying the second. Would a wood conditioner make a difference for the second coat of stain?

ElBrad t1_j6dwx0w wrote on January 29, 2023 at 5:44 PM

Wood conditioner should be put down before stain, to help even out the stain's penetration.

If it were me, I'd sand off the progress you've made so far and reapply. If you don't care about the finish, then don't bother, but it's something that would bother me if it were my own project.

I'd start with an 80 grit, bring it down to bare wood, then work my way up to at least a 220 if it's something my skin would be touching on the regular. Then, stain it the colour you want with a regular stain, finish it off with a spar varnish (if you're going to have any liquids on the desk, like your morning coffee), to prevent water damage in the future.

Daniepi3 OP t1_j6gden8 wrote on January 30, 2023 at 3:11 AM

I'll definitely give your suggestion another go on the other side. This is just an off-cut of the timber I am using hence the carelessness, so I'll treat this attempt like the real deal. I appreciate your help :)