Finishing Bowls

Re: Finishing Bowls

JL

>Waterlox, wax. BLO, wax. Tung oil, wax. Wax. Sanding sealer, wax. Natural shoe polish. Bri wax. And many, many others.

Re: Finishing Bowls

Bart Rhoads

>Just my opinion but it you want to promote your business I wouldnt go with a quick easy finish. You are wanting to display your work quality so go with a good finish. Later you can work on a faster, easier but quality finish

Re: Finishing Bowls

sam nelson

>I agree with Bart, take your time, slow down, go for quality not quanity, it will pay off in the long run. good luck

Re: Finishing Bowls

Sean Troy

>I allmost always use walnut oil after sanding to 600. Sean

Re: Finishing Bowls

Barry Irby

>Thanks to both of you. As I posted my message, I knew what the answer was. I am promoting a business to intermidiaries that I don't like or respect much, but it's part of the game. OTOH, I make bowls and vessels because of who I am, not who they are.

I see some of the pro's such as Raffan put a coat of oil and wax and call it finished. I have been using lacquer and Salad Bowl Finish and several coats. Sometimes I have more time in the finish than I do making the bowl. Frustrating, but thanks again for the push in the right direction.

Barry Irby

Re: Finishing Bowls

Barry Irby

>Thanks Sean. Does Walnut oil go on in one coat? How long does it take to dry or cure? Is it food safe? Does it provide a reasonably durable finish that will stand being handled?

I have used oil and wax before, but found that they were subject to finger prints and that any drop of water that touch them left a white spot. I'm looking for something that will stand being passed around from hand to hand and protectt eh bowl.

I have a terrible time with Salad Bowl Finish that appears to be thinned varnish. If It is thick enough to flow into a smooth surface, it runs. Any thinner and you are left with holidays and streaks.

Barry Irby

Re: Finishing Bowls

Ric Taylor

>Barry,

Don't feel like you're the Lone Ranger. I always have more time in the finish than in the turning.

Ric

Re: Finishing Bowls

Richard Allen

>I use a long oil varnish. The brand happens to be Zars Wipe ON Tung Oil Finish. Depending on the wood a single coat works great. (some woods like 2 or 3 coats). Wipe it on and 10 minutes latter wipe it off. If the bowl is still on the lathe (as in finsih the inside and part of the outside before working the foot area) then I wipe it down with a paper towel with the lathe running. The heat from this action will speed the cureing of the finish. Even so I leave the finished bowls sit for a couple of days and then buff the bowl.

On dense oily woods like cocobola this finish (and most long oil finishes that I have tried) doesn't work very well. The stuff never seams to dry.

The finish is fairly flat but provides the protection you are looking for. The paduak lidded bowl and the Jennifer platter I posted a few days ago were finished as described.

The finish effort is worth it, especialy if you are associating yourself with the turning by promoting another business. If the bowl looks bad in a few weeks then every time they see the bowl they will think less of the business you are trying to promote.

Godo Luck

Re: Finishing Bowls

Andy in Raleigh

>I got a kick out of that in a Raffan video I watched. He didn't even do oil and wax in separate steps; he just used his "nahsty rag" (as he referred to it) with some oil and wax on it on spinning pieces for a few seconds.