How do you decide on the finishing

[broadsea]

Just wondering how you all decode on the final finish for your pens. I know that I have to work on this with my bowls etc because I think I have spoilt some of them with my choice of finish, especially ones with good looking grain like the bowl I posted. Lovely grain but I think a poor finish (although the photo is dark) and I find this part most frustrating so any tips would be great. I think this is one area that newbies do not work on enough.

 

[stevenw1963]

Your photo is a bit green all round - is it supposed to be ?

Personally, I use spray lacquer or friction polish on most bowls etc.
Halfrauds car lacquer, 1 coat, de-nib 2nd coat ad nauseum until you get your desired finish

 

[rayf6604]

Do a search for a thread called CA finish and you will see the debate we've had over finishes. It's a whole can of worms with as many divided opinions as there are choice of finishes

 

[Terry]

It really depends on how the wood turns out that makes me decide what kind of finish I put on it John !!!!

 

[paulm]

There's not debate really. If you want a proper finish use ca otherwise use wax

Now wait for the flak.

 

[Terry]

There's not debate really. If you want a proper finish use ca otherwise use wax

Now wait for the flak.

I wouldn't like to try and put CA on a 10inch bowl Paul !!!!!LOL

 

[broadsea]

Ok cheers guys, crap photo but will do a search for that thread.

 

[Woody]

I only use two types of finish oil or polish for large bowls never friction polish over 6" and polish for smaller items whatever they are

 

[broadsea]

I must admit I do use liberon wax polish for a lot of my bowls. Just started with teak oil today on a bowl that was finished a few weeks ago. Sounds like teak oil is the same as polishing the walking stick I make. One a day for a week, once a week for a month then once a month for a year. Then yearly after that unless it gets wet.

 

[Les ELm]

To answer the OP question, I use MINWAX Polyurethane using my "Dipping Method" to get a quick, consistent, durable pen blank finish.
I have attached a PDF Tutorial on my "dipping Method".

Les

 

[Vic Perrin]

I go with Woody on the Bowls. Oil oil and oil

Vic

 

[billyb_imp]

I started off with friction polish & microcrystalline wax John, but i'm now moving towards the ca method

 

[Grump]

To answer the OP question, I use MINWAX Polyurethane using my "Dipping Method" to get a quick, consistent, durable pen blank finish.
I have attached a PDF Tutorial on my "dipping Method".

Les

Wow, you claim that to be your method???
Then you must be my dad cos he used the same method for years.
Different materials but same method.
Wotchya dad.

 

[rayf6604]

On bowls, Briwax clear gives a good finish. On wood pens Chestnut Friction polish

 

[Woody]

Wow, you claim that to be your method???
Then you must be my dad cos he used the same method for years.
Different materials but same method.
Wotchya dad.

I was just saying to Vi that method is as old as the hills at the end of the day is just varnish

 

[Walter]

To answer the OP question, I use MINWAX Polyurethane using my "Dipping Method" to get a quick, consistent, durable pen blank finish.
I have attached a PDF Tutorial on my "dipping Method".

Les

Thanks for posting the pdf Les, it is interesting to see other people's methods. Looks like a viable finish for pens and you seem to get great results, but the OP was asking for a finish for bowls.

For bowls I use a wax finish over sanding sealer, but there are many other perfectly good finishes.

 

[Neil]

Walter,

I liked the grammar lesson, but I'm already a fan of Prof Cox!!

 

[brody2123]

It's all about final purpose. Foodsafe finish for salad/food bowls, spray lacquer for some, and oil for others. Some woods look better with different types of finish and there's a lot of trial and error.

 

[Walter]

Walter,

I liked the grammar lesson, but I'm already a fan of Prof Cox!!

I shall change it again when I get bored with it. In the meantime remember that I am still subconsciously correcting everyone's grammar. :wink:

 

[Grump]

My Grammer died years ago two mumfs after my Grumps.
They say she died of a broken heart but I reckon the bus that hit her had more to do with it init?