Friction Polish - Any Good?

[niall Y]

Just a general enquiry really. I've never used the stuff myself so I was wondering about other turners experience of using it.
I'm turning a few bowls at the moment and was wondering if it would be suitable for these, or indeed what alternative finishes might be better. I get the feeling that it produces instant results but was wondering how long lasting the finish is and whether it can be reapplied without the use of a lathe.

 

[Paul Hannaby]

Friction polish is good for smaller diameter items but is tricky to get even coverage with bowls and larger diameter projects. You would probably be better off with either sanding sealer and wax or an oil finish such as finishing oil, hard wax oil etc. You can apply multipe coats of oil finishes to get more shine if that's what you want. Wax and oil can also be reapplied off the lathe but you would struggle with friction polish because you need speed and friction to burnish it to a finish.
If you're planning on using the bowl for food use, a food safe oil finish would be the best option. Wax finishes don't stand up to washing!

 

[niall Y]

Friction polish is good for smaller diameter items but is tricky to get even coverage with bowls and larger diameter projects. You would probably be better off with either sanding sealer and wax or an oil finish such as finishing oil, hard wax oil etc. You can apply multipe coats of oil finishes to get more shine if that's what you want. Wax and oil can also be reapplied off the lathe but you would struggle with friction polish because you need speed and friction to burnish it to a finish.
If you're planning on using the bowl for food use, a food safe oil finish would be the best option. Wax finishes don't stand up to washing!

Thanks for the reply. What you say is much as I suspected. I'm using finishing oil at present, so I will stick with this. I'm applying about three coats which for me seems to be about the optimum number.