Personal Formulas for Finishing Mixtures

Excerpts from The Messageboards

Dave L: Relatively new to turning—could you guys who mix up your own finishing products pass on your ideas? What you mix and in what percentages? Does it give a gloss or satin finish? Thanks.

Ron in Drums PA: One of my favorite homebrew is danish oil

1/3 poly or varnish (gloss)
1/3 mineral spirits or turpentine
1/3 BLO

I have used this for both flat and turned projects.

When I first started mixing this, I would try to be as exact as possible. Now I just eyeball it and I find the results are just as good.

Also, I find if I add more mineral spirits or turpentine the finish will soak into the wood farther, and dry quicker. But I will need more coats to build a good finish.

I use gloss poly for two reasons:

the finish is more clear, letting the natural wood grain show better.
if I decide the final finish is to shiny I take some steel wool and knock down the gloss.

JL: Second that formula. I sometimes vary the amounts. The flatting agents in satin poly can interfere with getting a smooth surface. Gloss gives a more reproducible finish and result.

Dave Smith, Longview, WA: I make my own friction polish in two flavors—one for most pieces and one for light wood. I have found that shellac made from flakes works better than the canned stuff.

For most turnings equal parts of shellac, denatured alcohol and boiled linseed oil.

For light woods, such as holly, I use tung oil instead of linseed oil.

Mix small batches in small containers. I used small prescription drug containers with screw on caps. At my age there is no shortage of these containers. Small aspirin bottles or the like are available in most households.

Shake the bottle before each application to mix the ingredients well. Usually two applications is all it takes for a high gloss finish. I only used the friction polish on small spindle turnings such as pens and bottle stoppers.

Russ Fairfield: Finishing Secrets

Dave L: What is BLO? Is my novice standing showing thru?

George Van in WI: Dave, BLO means boiled linseed oil.

Barry Turner: If you want really, really simple—I use Minwax Polyurethane gloss. Sand to about 320 to 400 grit, slop on a heavy coat of poly, let it soak in for about ten minutes—replenishing dry spots if necessary, wipe off and let dry overnight. Repeat if necessary. One or two coats is usually all that's necessary.