CHOOSING YOUR FINISHAn Overview of Woodturning Finishes

OVERVIEW

1. Why Finish Wood

2. Surface Preparation

3. Choosing the Right Finish

4. Shop Safety and Storage

WHY FINISH WOOD?

• Enhance the beauty and feel of the wood

• “Pop” the grain

• Emphasize natural features

• Add color and/or depth

• How is the piece going to be used

• Utility or display

• Protect the wood

• Wear resistance

• Water resistance

• UV resistance

ANY FINISH MAGNIFIES

UNDERLYING SURFACE

• Finishes accent tool marks, torn grain, sanding scratches

• Low sheen finishes are more forgiving

• High gloss finishes magnify occlusions and blemishes

• Spend as much time finishing as you do turning

• Shaping

• Surface preparation

• Finish application

SANDING

Sandpaper is a tool, keep is clean and sharp

Progress through all grits

Wipe surface clean after each grit change

Crepe Abrasive cleaning stick

Power sanding is faster, easier

Keep speed slow and cool

Avoid heat check and surface glazing

Run lathe at slow speed, or with spindle locked

KJR quick change backing pads

Burnish with shavings or paper bags to see scratches

SANDING LUBRICANTS

• Superior Finish in Less Time

• Reduce heat checking

• Sandpaper last longer

• Wet sanding – starting at 220 grit

• Forces oil deeper into the wood

• Keeps sawdust out of the air

SANDING LUBRICANTS

OILS

Walnut oil, mineral oil, linseed oil

Will darken wood and enhance grain

WAXES

Eli Avisera makes his own mixture

Does not darken like oils

Best way to see occlusions and tool marks

Burnishing will remove wax from the surface

SANDING SEALERS

Lacquer, shellac, acrylic (waterborne)

Get a more even finish, reduces penetration

Use on open pore woods; oak, mahogany, walnut,

etc.

BEAL BUFFING SYSTEM

Three wheel system

❖ Tripoli (800 grit)

❖ Diamond Compound (1200 grit)

❖ Carnuba Wax polish

❖ Lathe speed of 1500+ RPM

❖ Wheels will harden with speed

❖ Tend to grab your work piece

BEAL BUFFING SYSTEM

➢ Long Buffing Adapter

➢ 2” or 3” Bowl Buff

➢ 1500+ RPM

➢ Clean & Charge

➢ Use to polish and buff surface

finishes like polyurethanes

➢ Allow to cure before polishing

PENETRATING OILS

➢ Used by many turners

➢ Penetrating oils leave most natural, tactile finish

➢ Low, even sheen

➢ Treated walnut oil, tung oil, boiled linseed oil, etc.

➢ Easy to apply and repair, some protection

➢ Wipe on or flood surface

➢ Wet sand to force oil into pores

➢ Thoroughly wipe off excess

➢ Cure (polymerize) for several days before applying topcoat

DRYING OILS

OIL/VARNISH MIXES

➢ Penetrating oils with something added

➢ Varnish, tung oil, urethane, etc.

➢ Danish oil, GF Bowl Finish, Daly’s Profin, etc.

➢ Easy to apply and repair, more protection

➢ Read and follow instructions carefully

➢ Polyurethanes need to cure (polymerize) for a week or

more

➢ Product names can be misleading

OIL/VARNISH MIXES

POLYURETHANE

➢ Highly protective finish, adds an

amber cast

➢ Resists scratches, dings, moisture

➢ Easy to apply, difficult to repair

➢ Tacks quickly to minimize dust

pick-up

➢ Recoat 2-3 hours

➢ Sand lightly between coats

➢ Cure for a week, then buff polish

LACQUERS

➢ Nitrocellulose lacquer solids

➢ Very popular, durable clear finish for furniture

➢ Stays very clear over time

➢ Easy to apply, can be repaired professionally, more

protection

➢ Very Quick-dry

➢ Requires a semi-dust-free environment &

excellent ventilation

➢ Spray, aerosol, or brushable versions

➢ Sand between coats

➢ Add multiple coats to build gloss

WATERBORNE ACRYLICS

➢ Crystal clear finish for light woods,

will not yellow

➢ Easy to apply, hard to repair, very

good protection

➢ Spray or brush application

➢ Goes on white, dries clear

➢ Low odor, soap and water

clean up

➢ Use a sanding sealer to

minimize grain raise

➢ Sand between coats, use gray

mesh not steel wool

➢ Temperature sensitive (60F, 50%

humidity)

SHELLACS

Use multiple coats to create gallery quality finish

Classic fine furniture finish, tough & durable

Can add an amber cast to your finish

Easy to apply, can be repaired

Buy premixed or flakes

Thin with denatured alcohol

Apply multiple thin coats

Sand lightly between coats

WAXES

Protective film adds depth sheen and tactile quality

Varying hardness

Beeswax, parrafin, carnuba, or microcrystalline

Or blends

Easy to apply, easy to repair

Can be used over bare wood or almost any finish

Apply very thin coat, then polish

SHOP SAFETY & STORAGE

Wear proper dust masks during sanding

Store and dispose of oily rags properly, avoid spontaneous combustion

Dispose of old finishes properly

Storage: All finishes age after opening

Exposure to oxygen causes finishes to thicken & dry out

What to do when the finish won’t cure

Date each can