cocobolo finish

An opinion, not a consensus

Russ Fairfield

>I would burnish it with wood shavings or a piece of grocery bag paper and consider it "finished".

Re: cocobolo finish

John Lucas

>Rich

I like to use my favorite which is Deft Clear lacquer thinned with lacquer thinner. I spray on several coats and then buff with the Beal. This is on hand mirrors that get handled quite a bit.

On Christmas ornaments I will sometimes just buff it with the Beal system. they don't get man handled as much.

I haven't made a bowl from Cocobolo. It polishes up so smooth I would probably consider Bees Wax.

Re: cocobolo finish

Peter Teubel

>20" diameter cocobolo bowl?! That freakin' huge! Personally, I wet sand all my cocobolo projects with Micromesh to 12000 grit followed by a light coating of Renaissance wax. It will gleam like a polished gemstone.

Re: cocobolo finish

Doug Trembath

>Rich, the guys have given some really good advice. If you feel you'd like more protection, or for any other reason want to apply a finish, I have had some luck with a wipe-on poly, very little build, but a nice compliment to the way cocobolo polishes naturally. Personally, I like to sand (actually polish) a little higher than 600, say 1200 or even up to 2500, before applying a finish, but who is to say what's right for everyone?

I find with woods like ebony or cocobolo an oil based finish doesn't seem to have as many adhesion problems as some of the film products. Maybe the natural oils meld with the oil as it dries? I don't pretend to know, but the finish is much like a friction finish in sheen, and my customers love it. I haven't had any peel off, either.

Doug Trembath

Studio in the Woods