daft question number 42

[LarryS.]

Hi all,

I've been making a jewellery box for my mothers 60th birthday out of mahogany and chestnut. Down at yandles show I asked a guy on the Liberon stand what I'd need to finish the box off. He sold me Liberon Fine Paste Wax (Black Bison) and Liberon finishing oil.
He also gave me instructions on what to do with that it, but thats the bit I've forgotten !!

Can anyone help ?? Need to finish the box tomorrow

thanks, paul

 

[DaveL]

OK so finishing is not my strong point but I do like using oil.
This is what I would do, sand or scrape depending on your preference to the surface smoothness require, probably babies bum. :roll:
Then apply a generous coat of oil, I use a brush but you can use a rag, wear gloves as the oil will affect your hands. Leave to dry for ~ 10 minutes, then with clean rag wipe off all of the oil that has not soaked into the wood. Take care in corners not to leave any behind that will seep and make a blotch.
Leave the box for the oil to dry, I think the tin says 8 hours but I am not going out the shop to check it now.
Rub the surface with a fine webrax the grey one to remove any raised grain and repeat the oiling. I use 2 or 3 coats.
Once the oil has fully dried rub the paste wax on, I use a rag, leave for ~15 minutes and buff to a nice sheen. I have one of the Chestnut brushes, you need to buff quite hard to get the wax to flow. You should now have a nice natural looking box without a high shine but that is begging to be touched. 8)

 

[LarryS.]

thanks for the info dave, i really didn't know where to start

if i haven't got webrax can i use 400 grit sandpaper ?

also i am assuming the oil needs the same drying time for every coat ? reason i ask is that i need to try and finish the box tomorrow

 

[DaveL]

Paul,

If it needs to be finished tomorrow then get back in the shop and get the first coat of oil on, then in the morning you can do the second coat, wax it in the late afternoon.
The amount of oil used after the first coat goes down as the wood is sealed, so it does dry a bit quicker, leave it in a warmish place, not the unheated workshop over night.

I am not sure about 400 grit paper, sounds a bit course, got any 1200 or 1500. Only rub back the first coat if you are only putting 2 on. I used to use 0000 steel wool, still have some but now prefer the webrax.

 

[LarryS.]

too cold and wet to head back out there !!

will do the two coats of oil tomorrow, then look to do the wax one evening this week (meant to be away all week but will try and get one night at home)

i think i may have one webrax pad round here somewhere (looks like a webby scouring pad?),it is grey

 

[DaveL]

i think i may have one webrax pad round here somewhere (looks like a webby scouring pad?),it is grey

That sounds like the right sort of thing, check it is not as course as the scourer used for the washing up, you only need the finest of abrasive.