Red Wood Table / Jarrah Door Frame exterior protection

I have an old redwood coffee table that has been outside in the elements for the last year. I sanded it back 40 - 60 - 120 grit. Then wife varnished it with some exterior marine varnish (we live near ocean). The varnish is dry, but the surface is still rough. How can i finish the table so that it is totally smooth.


I am using the table as practise before i work on the jarrah door frame (100yrs of grime, dirt, frame is amost grey) on verandah. Have sanded back a small section and the red wood looks great. How do i finish door frame so that it is protected and smooth?

To get your finish smooth you need to sand the varnish and redo the varnish application until get the smooth surface. Do thea sanding between the varnish with a sterated sandpaper with 320 or 400 grade.
Do the same way for the door fame

:whs:

You'll probably find the first coat of varnish made the wood fibres stand up a little. Light sanding and a couple more coats should do it.

Absolutely spot on advice there. Mind you between the last sanding using 120 and perhaps using 320/400 grade I think it might be wise to use an intermediate grade such as 180-240 and then recoat, then sand back with say the 320/400 and then recoat. Obviously always removing all dust between sanding coats and trying to re-coat in a non dusty environment.

If it still feels rough after that then perhaps you could go further still up to 600 but I reckon you probably shouldnt need to go that far.