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
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
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