Finishes

Every woodwooker has their favorite finishes. Today I will discuss my most recent techniques. I think it is a good idea to have at least 2 levels of glossiness in my inventory. Lately, collectors seem to like a natural low-gloss finish. But there are always some clients who want something very shiny or a finish with extra UV protection. I prefer using finishes that are non-toxic (such as oils and waxes) or at least water based (polyurethane).
Orange Oil, for example, is organic and easy to work with and it smells good for many months on a piece. Follow the directions on the can or bottle and you will have a light finish that offers some protection. But most importantly it preserves the wood in a rough way so that the finish can be changed later with no hassles. Similarly, oils are nice and light, but offer little protection to the wood. Some cleaning will be necessary to remove oil before changing to another finish.
I recommend Howard s Orange Oil products, available at Home Depot. And Tung Oil works well on exotics.
For a super high-gloss finish. Use polyurethane in many thin coats. Wet sanding in between every-other coat. And finally using a car buffer in the end. You can use as many as 15 coats.
Lately, I use 3-4 coats of H2O based polyurethane. Be sure to let each coat dry fully before applying more.

Tip Of The Week: Compare non-toxic alternatives to traditional finishes. Using scrap wood to experiment with, you may even prefer the natural products.

Shout Out Of The Week: goes to the helpful professionals at Cal Steam Supply. They are the only source for all your plumbing needs.