Rubbing out a WB poly Finish to Satin

I like automotive wet/dry sandpaper better. Wrapped
around a block with a little give (like hard rubber or felt)
it works to level the finish too. Steel wool won’t do that.

A better lube for steel wool is mineral oil (baby oil). Water
makes the steel rust and tiny particles can get caught in
the slightest crack or wood pore edge. I suppose you
can extract the filings with a magnet.

I like synthetic steel wool better. I don’t use it a lot
to rub out finishes though… usually just de-nibbing.

I used a gray synthetic pad to rub this to satin:


No lube was used. I used gloss crystalac super premium.

-- He who dies with the most tools... dies with the emptiest wallet.

I often top off WB finishes with paste wax, applied with steel wool and buffed rather quickly. It nicks the nibs off and leaves an even sheen with a great touch.

Kindly,

Lee

-- "...in his brain, which is as dry as the remainder biscuit after a voyage, he hath strange places cramm'd with observation, the which he vents in mangled forms." --Shakespeare, "As You Like It"

Thanks for all replies..

Lee, when you finish with wax and 0000, is that giving you a satin or gloss luster??

Truth be told, I got my tabletop dead flat and sanded through 1000…. then I notice a strange ripple in a tiny part of the finish…. Yep, rubbed just ever so slightly through….. It must have been a high area or perhaps a slight area of raised grain… Not quite sure…. I was really excited to try these polishing pastes that are supposed to be quicker and more consistent that pumice an stone…. Well, it will have to wait because I think I an going to take the top back to square one…

I plan to go a little thick with the Poly this time, I assume I cut it too close…. Oh well, more fun