Woodturners finish

2/26/23, 10:45 PM #1

mike swindell
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Registered: 11/25/04

Woodturners finish

I am making wood handled knives using walnut,cherry and other woods. I thinned Minwax spar poly to fill the grain. After sanding to 220 I applied a second coat but there were still uneven spots.I sanded down to 220 again. It's chilly in souther californian now-60's, I can't bring indoors. I found woodturners finish, is this shellac, looks like it in data sheets. What's the difference between Sealcoat, woodturners finish and straight 1 or 2 lb shellac flakes and dilute my self.

I'm getting headaches just reading. Cheers Mike

Re: Woodturners finish

2/26/23, 11:40 PM #2

Dick Coers
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Registered: 8/7/07

Re: Woodturners finish

Probably just marketing. I assume the woodturners finish is also Zinser?

Re: Woodturners finish

2/27/23, 1:24 PM #3

Mark Mandell
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Re: Woodturners finish

Hi Mike,

"Woodturner's Finish" is a coating made and marketed by General Finishes. It's an oil-modified water based film-forming coating. For use as a grain filler you'll need a lot of coats as it should be applied in thin coats. Being a film finish, it is likely to fail over time and repeated washings. Stuff is very expensive $20+ for 8oz.

If you're doing knife handles (or pistol grips) and you want real durability, I suggest you look into stabilized wood where resin is infused into and through pieces of wood to form a composite material. The product is available, but with the needed equipment you can do it yourself if your need/production can justify the expense.

Re: Woodturners finish

2/28/23, 4:02 PM #4

Ellis Walentine
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Registered: 11/26/00

'nother possibility

Try some Tru-Oil gunstock finish. Easy to use, easy to replenish.

Tru-Oil

Re: Woodturners finish

3/3/23, 7:43 PM #5

rewatts
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Ralph E Watts

Mike, I have had good luck diluting wipe-on polly with ~1/4 thinner. Wipe the mix on until the wood refuses to absorb anymore or submerge the handle for 15 or 20 minutes, let dry and repeat once or twice. Wipe off and let dry for a few days. It does a good job of filling the grain (assuming a tight grain) and generally a 1000+ grit sand and a couple of coats of WOP finish the job.

Woodturners finish

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