Final finish

[PrincessBora]

I got no replies from my previous post so I'm hoping that my lack of knowledge is due to that. I've just finished using danish oil on my table but want to finish it with something. What would you suggest? I would like it to look smooth! Does that help? Thanks.

 

[Modernist]

I think the Danish oil you have used should make a good final finish. Assuming the timber was sanded smooth before you applied the oil you need to keep applying several more coats to build up the finish. Best leave for a day between coats after the first one or two to let it dry thoroughly or you can end up with a sticky mess.

 

[yetloh]

Welcome to the forum Princess.

I agree with Modernist, your Danish Oil should give you a good final finish, but what sort of finished effect are you after? Matt, satin gloss and are you finishing an open or finely grained wood. If you are disatisfied with what you are getting you can always burnish it or matt it once it has thoroughly hardened. This will give you that nice silky feel that finishon its own can sometimes lack.

Jim

 

[PrincessBora]

Thanks to you both for your messages. It was sanded extremely smooth and is finely grained and so it looks nice as it is. I'm pleased you responded as I thought I had to put something on top! I think I would like it to be slightly more gloss than it is. Excuse my ignorance but how do I burnish it? Thanks.

 

[bosshogg]

This is how I used to put on a glossy finish - apply shellac at turning speed (without any rest near) with a porous weave cloth wrapped around some shavings/loose ragging loaded with shellac. Put a small amount of oil on the face of the cloth and apply gently to revolving work, increasing pressure as shine and slip flows, you should be able to see this as you work it and adjust the pressure as you see it. Allow to dry (1/2 - 1 hour) sand the work until smooth - gloss removed, apply second coat as above, to the stage before sanding, now apply same cloth with oil only (the charged wad inside being almost spent of shellac) to the work at fastest speed capable, oil as necessary reducing pressure as gloss builds, allow work to dry 24hrs. You can repeat the second stage more than once at your own discretion.
I adapted this technique from instructions I had read re. 'French Polishing' and still have some glossy chisel handles today 45 years later.
Oh! keep the complete wad (rubber in F/P terminology I believe) in a small sealed jar to prevent drying/hardening, between stages, it would be nice if you let me know what you think ...bosshogg

"Few people are capable of expressing with equanimity opinions which differ from the prejudices of their social environment. Most people are even incapable of forming such opinions." A.E. 8)

 

[yetloh]

Sounds like a good technique, Bosshogg, but chucking a whole table might be a bit tricky!

Burnishing can be done at many levels from rubbing with 0000 steel wool on its own or with white spirit for slightly more gloss or with something like Liberon burnishing cream for more gloss. Tcut or similar from Halfords will do a similar job. Best to experiment on scrap or a hidden area first.

Jim