Newbie finishing

[section_9]

Hey all. As the title suggests I'm a newbie and need some advice on finishing. I'm partway through shaping my first V-Lam Skateboard and I'm thinking about how I'm going to finish it. It is a board made from strips of Meranti and American Oak so I'm wanting to keep the original colour of the wood without it darkening too much. The finish will need to be extremely tough and durable along with been a extremely glassy finish as I will be wetsanding between layers. I have read some stuff about UV protection, Polyurathane, varnish epoxy etc etc, but as I'm totally new to finishing wood my head feels as though it's going to blow.........

Any help would be greatly appreciated...

Thanks

Peace out

 

[seanybaby]

Welcome to the board section_9

Pictures, pictures, pictures please :lol:

So is it a longboard you are making? Are you putting grip tape on? I also skate and am interested in making a board.

Not too sure how to finish one though.

 

[section_9]

Yeah, It is at the moment, but depending on how the shaping goes it could turn into a spatula :lol:
this is only a rough shape at the mo and I really need to start thinning it down but since I'm poor I only have a certain amount of tools to do it, so it's a bit on the Ghetto side of shaping (if you get my drift)
Not sure how to put pics up so i'll leave it till its done then post some pics up then.
Anyway, best get off my bum and get shaping.......

 

[Woodfinish Man]

I think you've both got a couple of options. Firstly there are Acid Catalyst lacquers that are normally applied to furniture, floors and bar tops.

Alternatively some of the hardest wearing woodfinishes are definitely two pack Polyurethane Varnishes. Both products can be brushed but always produce better appearances if sprayed, this is especially the case when looking for a gloss finish.

Here are some AC & PU lacquer suppliers:

Smith & Rodger, Morrells, & Fiddes

Hope this helps but shout back with any other questions.

WM