Advice on finish please

[Freck Fraser]

Evening folks,
had an idea, whether it's a daft one or not, Im hoping you'll tell me.

As you've probably noticed, I use hybrid blanks sourced via George at "From the Tree" from time to time, they are stunning blanks which I normally just finish with melamine, but during my short time woodturning I have used danish oil on some of my bowls as a finish as it makes the wood grain/detail stand out better (to me), so today I tried using some on the blank of my latest hybrid pen before using melamine as a final finish.

Now I normally just use dry micromesh pads to polish as the acrylic component of the blank looks pretty naff after abranetting to just 600 and requires a decent polishing imho prior to the normal melamine routine, dry because I don't think water lubed micromesh pads would suit the wooden part of the blank, which usually (no complaints so far) results in a decent finish, today however, I lubed the pads with the oil and polished the blank after using abranet to 600, then the usual sealer/melamine approach as per Phil Darts technique.

To me it brings the detail in the burr right out, whats anyone elses thoughts please, is there a possible future reaction between the various coats used??
Any other problems anyone can think of?? Is it a waste of time from where your sitting etc etc?

The pics aren't the best, which prob won't help with critique, yes I need a lightbox for detailed pics, may just get one..................

 

[Penpal]

L:ooks great to me I like alternate finishes especially to capture grain like yours.

Peter.

 

[Phil Dart]

I'm not sure that a spirit based lacquer over an oil base is the best way to go Freck. The lacquer might look great to start with, but there will be no bond with the wood. It's a bit like attempting to varnish on top of wax. Choosing a finish for hybrid blanks is a perpetual problem, and I'm not sure what best practice is to be honest, but for myself, I'd be tempted to stick with just the oil - using it as a lubricant will help to leave an excellent preparation on the wood, and maybe build up a few coats once you've dispensed with the abrasives.

 

[21William]

George has a YouTube video on finishing hybrid blanks:

Finishing hybrid blanks - YouTube

You can get all the bits you need from thepolishingshop.co.uk, they’re far cheaper than Chestnut or Beale and have a much wider range of products.

You can get written details of the process here:

http://www.penturners.co.uk/misc/pdf/50_Finishing/Polishing wood with pigtails and mops.pdf

 

[Bill Mooney]

On my hybrid blanks I dry sand to 400 grit then use 0000 wire wool. I then give 2-3 coats of acrylic lacquer using Phil’s melamine method then polish with Farecla 300 & 500.

 

[Freck Fraser]

I'm not sure that a spirit based lacquer over an oil base is the best way to go Freck. The lacquer might look great to start with, but there will be no bond with the wood. It's a bit like attempting to varnish on top of wax. Choosing a finish for hybrid blanks is a perpetual problem, and I'm not sure what best practice is to be honest, but for myself, I'd be tempted to stick with just the oil - using it as a lubricant will help to leave an excellent preparation on the wood, and maybe build up a few coats once you've dispensed with the abrasives.

That's the kind of feedback I was looking to find out Phil, Im just rubbish at putting my thoughts to type.
Tbh, after applying the oil it looked the 'danglies", just not sure it would be hard wearing so I added the melamine over it.

This one wasn't a commission and is for myself, was happy to experiment. I do like the way the oil brings out the burr more than just sanding sealer though, I did a side by side comparison and was surprised at the difference, or maybe my mind made the difference up haha

George has a YouTube video on finishing hybrid blanks:

Finishing hybrid blanks - YouTube

You can get all the bits you need from thepolishingshop.co.uk, they’re far cheaper than Chestnut or Beale and have a much wider range of products.

You can get written details of the process here:

http://www.penturners.co.uk/misc/pdf/50_Finishing/Polishing wood with pigtails and mops.pdf

Thanks William, I have the kit from the polishing shop and still use it on purely acrylics, I started using hybrids by following Georges techniques from Youtube, but not keen on CA finishes, although hard wearing I find them a bit plasticy, also the one finished in wax after the linseed oil Im not sure will be hard wearing enough, think I may just either try the oil on its own or stick with the melamine.

On my hybrid blanks I dry sand to 400 grit then use 0000 wire wool. I then give 2-3 coats of acrylic lacquer using Phil’s melamine method then polish with Farecla 300 & 500.
View attachment 33653

Ta for the feedback Bill, another method shared.

 

[21William]

You don’t need to use CA with a buffing system. You can use oil, lacquer, sanding sealer or even bare wood.

Skip to the last half if you just want to see the finishing.

Woodturning - how to make a hybrid box - YouTube

 

[Graham_C]

Some really useful information here guys, thank you. I did a couple of hybrids a while back and wasn't terribly happy with the finish I achieved - might give them another go

 

[21William]

It probably depends a lot on species but I was surprised how well bare wood buffed up using polishing mops.

 

[wm460]

I have got to try the melamine lacquer when I can find it the green shed doesn't stock it.