August 31, 20169 yr Besides the usual Witches Brew, or something from Minwax This is a box made of Cherry. I had a "wash" of "al-kee-haul" on it, to bring out the figure. Need something to keep the figure popping out. Without any finish.. Soo, I need something that does not yellow the wood. Zinsser (sp) make a couple different kinds of shellac, maybe the clear one will do the trick. The other boxes were either Poplar With the Witch's Brew, or Pine with the same stuff... But this Cherry needs a little something different. Witch's Brew? Well, there is this quart can. Started out as a Polyshades Colonial Maple ( meh) since most of it was used on a project, I then poured the last of several small cans of stian into the can. In fact, Ihave no partial cans in the shop. Along the way, BLO was added each time I used a bit out of the can. Along with a pint of Minwax Gloss Poly. Stir well. It is also the finish on that Pine rocker I built. Works great on pine, not too sure about Cherry. Shellac Sanding Sealer?
August 31, 20169 yr My favorite is a half and half blend of Watco and Mckloskys Man O War varnish. Wipe on. Each succeeding coat gets more varnish. I just add varnish to the original batch to equal the original volume. Highly scientific process. McCklosky's is tough enough for a tool box.
September 1, 20169 yr Here is a keeping box I made recently from air-dried cherry. Finish schedule * a coat of boiled linseed oil * a week of curing, some ot it on the patio to bring out the patina * a couple of coats of Zinsser Seal Coat. If you need a more in-the-wood finish, you could try an oil-varnish blend. Typically this is 1/3 each varnish, boiled linseed oil, and mineral spirits, but can vary widely. Watco Danish Oil is about 2/3 mineral spirits, 2/9 boiled linseed oil, 1/9 varnish. But these products are widely intermixable, so you can add straight varnish to a canned mix, or thin with more mineral spirits, etc. Be aware that "Tung Oil Finishes " are almost always not tung oil and may not contain any tung oil. http://www.popularwoodworking.com/techniques/finishing/oil-finishes-their-history-and-use Edited September 1, 20169 yr by kmealy
September 2, 20169 yr Author The Witch's Brew: A few parts of leftover stains, a big part BLO, and another smaller part Varnish, mix well. This is what is looks like on a slab of Cherry that was leftover for the lid's panel....after I had beltsander the scrap, and planed it almost smooth Not quite right. Fighting the stains in the mix.....take away a bright light on it.. Sample had a lot of tearout, was hard to track which way the grain was running...After the Brew had cured out, and I had time to go shopping, and make a mix in a fancy little jar.. Hey...it works, and it will seal back up, too. The board edge showing? Is the freshly brushed on 70/30 BLO Varnish mix. Will let this sit overnight, and see IF I like it.. Still with a bright light over it. Dust bunnies were floating around as well. Dust? Well, this thing has been well sanded down Once all the dust has settled down in the shop, the box will get a good wipe down.....then we'll see from there.
September 2, 20169 yr Author Ok...went with the BLO/Varnish mis for the first coat/seal coat. Gave it a scrub out a bit ago.. Mix is 70/30, BLO to Varnish. I can add a bit more varnish to the next coat. Or, just plain varnish. Seems to have brought out the grain nicely, so far..
September 3, 20169 yr Author Just applied the second coat this morning...plain gloss varnish....will see how it turns out, when I get back home.
September 4, 20169 yr Author Well, it MIGHT need a good rubbing out tomorrow, and a final coat of varnish.... Few holes to fill, too.... I'd shine some better light on it, but would have to deal with glare.. Raised panel didn't turn out too bad. I'll let it sit until tomorrow, give it a good rubbing out and maybe a third coat.....we'll see. Bench is full right now, though The one on top is 4' long. Parts from the 7' slab.....set the box on it to show the scale of things.. Box is about 12" wide,BTW...
September 5, 20169 yr Author Third coat of clear gloss is now on.. Give this a final rub down, and the deliver it? Maybe? We'll see how it looks after awhile...might be real close to being done?
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