Glossy finishes are widely used in a variety of fixtures and goods. If you’re a DIYer or a seasoned carpenter, you’ll want to go from glossy to matte finishes at some point.
As a result, learning how to remove the shiny finish on a surface will come in handy. Dulling shiny finishes, no matter what work you’re in charge of, isn’t as difficult as it can appear.
Depending on your preferences, there are numerous techniques to obtain a matte look. We’ll go over the best solutions with you.
Why Dull A Glossy Finish?
That is one of the most basic questions that everybody who sees the title of our post will ask. However, if you’re curious about the subject matter, the solution is straightforward.
First and foremost, a shiny, pointed piece of metal is nothing to be afraid of. However, a silvery, rustic piece would be ideal for the purpose of decoration.
For those who have an interest in antiques and want to bring some culture into their yard or lawn, this is a great option.
Some people seek ways to dull sparkling galvanized metal for reasons other than to give their yard, lawn, or even their living space a retro vibe.
class="gb-headline gb-headline-9c40b4d5 gb-headline-text">How To Dull A Glossy Finish – Complete Process
First Method: Sanding The Gloss
This is the primary thing you should try if you want to reduce the gloss of a surface. It’s a safe bet that it will work perfectly.
It’s always possible to attempt another approach if you’re dissatisfied with the outcome. Sanding out the sheen is a great technique because it permits you to use other techniques as well.
In order to use this procedure, you’ll need to be careful because it entails sanding away the coats of glossy finish.
If the finish you’re working with is very thin, you should exercise caution when sanding since you risk damaging the wood.
First Step: Sanding
You can start with 220 or 300 grit sandpaper if you have to remove a thick coat. Add a few drops of mineral spirits or soapy water to the piece’s surface, and then proceed to clean it.
You can now begin to sand the surface after completing the previous steps. You’re good to go with just a quick once-over. Use a clean, dry cloth to wipe off the grit before moving on to the next grit.
Just to be careful and prevent damaging the wood, use higher-grit sandpaper when you don’t know exactly how thick the finish is.
If you’re concerned about the safety of sanding, choose a higher grain of sandpaper. You can begin by sanding with 400 grit sandpaper.
Clean the entire surface and inspect the results after using 600 grits of sandpaper. Finally, all that’s left to do is wipe down the surface, and you’re done! It’s time to celebrate.
Keep sanding the surface with the coarse grit sandpapers if you’ve dulled the finish more than you wanted. You’ll need to use 800 grit sandpaper for wet sanding until you’re satisfied with the results.
After sanding the surface to the desired grit, you can try using 1000 grit and then 1200 grit until you achieve the desired finish.
Second Step: Polishing
It is possible to use a polishing compound if your sanding process hasn’t met your expectation in terms of the wood’s finish.
A buffing pad attached to an orbital sander can be used to apply a polishing compound to the surface. A harsh polishing mixture is the first step.
Using more pressure on your sander will damage it. It’s supposed to perform all the legwork. After you’ve finished buffing, use a soft cleaning piece of cloth and soapy water to clean the surface.
Use a finer polishing compound and repeat the process.
Third Step: Coarse Polishing (Optional)
Move on to the next stage if you were unsuccessful in the previous one. An electric sander will be needed at this point.
Random sanders are superior to typical orbital ones since they provide for greater variety and more professional outcomes when working on the project.
Purchasing an orbital sheet sander without first researching the latest models online is always a good idea. It’s easy to buy one online.
Perhaps the easiest way to test out the sander before purchasing it is by going to a few local stores and handling it for yourself.
To use your orbital sander, follow these steps:
- Use the sander’s buffing pad to apply the coarse polishing compound. Without applying any additional pressure on the surface, conduct a thorough examination.
- Clean the surface with soapy water. Allow it to completely dry off before using it.
- Re-polish with a finer compound for a more reflective gloss.
It’s now possible to get a high-quality finish. At this point, the vast majority of individuals are happy.
Continue reading if you’re not yet persuaded. We’ll have a look at an alternative strategy now.
Second Method: Refinishing
Don’t worry if you don’t like the result you have got utilizing the method outlined above. You can still achieve your desired outcome. For more information, read on.
Polishing Compound’s Removal
If you used a polishing compound, the first thing you need to do is get it off. Naphtha is a common solvent, but you have the option of switching to another if you want.
After that, sand the item using 220 grit sandpaper. When the old finish is roughed up, the fresh coat will stick better.
Clean & Dry
It is essential that the hardwood surface be well cleaned and dried before proceeding with this method because a new finish will be applied. If you don’t, you’ll end up with mediocre results.
Start by wiping down the surface. Ideally, you should avoid using chemical cleansers because they may not work properly with the finish, resulting in a poor outcome.
Pick Your Finish
Your ultimate look can be determined by a new finish. Depending on your own preferences and whether or not you applied the final finish, the method you use may differ.
Sticking with similar products and selecting a matte finish may be your best bet if your previous finish was too glossy.
Switching from satin to matte or semi-gloss to satin is a good illustration of this type of transition. You may want to go back down a level if the final finish was a lot glossier than you intended.
For example, if you prefer a semigloss finish, you may want to go directly to matte. If you aren’t sure what you want, you may want to be extra cautious and only move down one step if you are unsure about what exactly you want.
There’s a good probability that the finishes will stick together if you use the same product line. As a bonus, since you’ve previously seen what the finished product would look like, you’ll have a better idea of what to look for in the next one.
Application Of The New Finish
A thin layer of a new finish is all that is needed. It takes less time for the coat to dry when it isn’t as thick. After only 30 minutes of work, you may get an excellent sense of how the final product will look.
If you’re satisfied with the result, you can add a second, lighter coat. Allow for some air-drying time. Finally, if necessary, apply a third and final light coat.
Two coats may suffice in some circumstances. When in doubt about the quantity to use, consult the product’s instructions.
If the first coat wasn’t to your liking, you have a few options now. Adding a few more coats is an option. Using sandpaper to further reduce the roughness is an option at this point as well.
Consider a less glossy polish if it’s excessively shiny. Once you have the new product, you can simply repeat the finishing process.
Refinishing can be the only way out if the new finish is too matte. Adding a coat of varnish or using other products may be necessary if you want a significantly glossier finish.
As a rule, you’ll either need to sand the surface down to bare wood or start over.
Third Method: De-Glossing
Make your sparkling metal handles and locks look matte by applying a matte varnish to the surface of your furniture. Don’t be alarmed; it’s simple.
Removing the metal pieces from the piece of furniture if possible, is the best way to proceed. If they can’t be shielded, use fabric strips to cover the wood’s surface.
A cloth dipped in liquid deglosser can be used to remove the tarnish off the metal. Make a circular motion while doing so.
Deglosser should be reapplied frequently to keep grime from clinging to paper. After a half-hour pause, review the piece.
If it’s still excessively shiny, dab on a second coat of the de-glosser with a brush. Wait a few minutes for it to dry. De-gloss the object until you are satisfied with how it looks.
Fourth Method: Brushing
Depending on the component, there may be plastic parts that you’d wish to sand down. This can be accomplished with a simple brushing method.
You’ll need a coarse scouring pad for this task. Back and forth, brush the plastic part’s surface. Brush more vigorously to achieve a more brushed appearance, but be sure to maintain a consistent stroke direction.
Fifth Method: Use Of Polyurethane
Unlike lacquer or shellac, polyurethane leaves a less aesthetically pleasing coating on wood. To safely adjust the shine, use a stiffening spray like tung oil.
After putting the base layer of gloss water or oil-based polyurethane, scuff it with 220-grit wet/dry sandpaper. If required, apply a second coat.
It’s up to you if you want to scuff the second coat or not before applying a third. In order to speed up the sanding process, use 400-grit wet or dry paper, and lubricate it with some water.
Apply a little bit of tung oil, boiling linseed oil, or teak oil to a smooth cotton cloth. Use a soft cloth to rub oil into the wood’s finish in a circular motion.
Rub the wood until only a very small amount of oil remains. Dry overnight before re-rubbing with a lambswool buffer or clean cloth.
Seventh Method: Repaint
It’s time to paint the outside of our sparkling metal. A metallic layer is used to accomplish this. While painting is often required, it’s not always necessary.
Silver, on the contrary, appears to be an older piece of jewelry. After applying a few coats of paint on a regular basis, allow the paint to dry.
The metal’s pattern may be destroyed if you use too much of this color. The iron paint must be mixed with the tin foil prior to the application, rather than silver paint.
Put it in the recessed areas after you’re done. Make sure your chip brush is hard enough to get into those hard-to-reach places with ease.
Applying iron paint with a chip brush and a few coats should do the trick.
Final Verdict
Anyone who works with wood furniture has to know how to get rid of a shiny finish quickly and effectively. If you put in the time and effort, you’ll be able to generate high-quality results in no time at all. Follow our guidelines and perform the job without any issue.
