Comments on: What Are Your Favorite Finishes?

By: DKO

DKO — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 14:07:20 +0000

I have been using a product call Bristol Finish. It’s a marine grade wood coating and they have a 2 part urathane that looks just like varnish.

By: cindersfella

cindersfella — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 03:49:30 +0000

I use Nitrocellulose Based Spray Finishes And Sanding Sealer because it dries Quick ( 10 Min Re coat time) and I have controlled finish
I Get From A high gloss to a flat and the finish is perfect. I have tried two pack finishes and they take forever to dry and it is less controllable,

By: las JonesDoug

las JonesDoug — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 02:22:49 +0000

My turnings get Myland’s sanding sealer and then their friction finish. All my flat work I reach for Waterlox Original. It never fails me, adds warmth to the project and rubs out beautifully.

By: Will Merryman

Will Merryman — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 01:55:50 +0000

I have started using poly whey from Vermont Natural coatings. Current job for chemical sensitive client requires products of this nature. Harder than petro poly, each coat dries in 2 hrs. Powders on sanding no loading of paper and can be buffed out if higher blemish free gloss is desired. I liked it so much I used their floor finish in a room in my house. The stuff is rock hard. Made in Vermont from waste product of cheese making.Check it out.

By: Dick Hanna

Dick Hanna — Sat, 25 Sep 2010 18:32:24 +0000

I am just finishing a Murphy Bed which I have made with oak veneered plywood and solid oak. I used a pre-stain and stain followed by what I have come to like very much – a wipe-on poly (clear satin). I don’t have problems getting an ultra smooth surface and on a number of projects I have varied from 2 to 7 coats. I used to use a brushed poly but one sometimes has runs, sags, bubbles, brush hairs, etc to deal with and this has disappeared with the wipe-on.. I also like that one can put another coat on after 2-3 hours. I usually do the next coat after 2 hours which means I can sometimes get 4 coats in a day before I give up.

By: Mike@wood routers

Mike@wood routers — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 16:39:08 +0000

Call me old fashioned but I still like to used water based poly for my projects.

By: Randy Goodhew

Randy Goodhew — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 18:15:21 +0000

My favorite finish reflects my methods of work. I like the intimacy of working close to the wood. I seek to accentuate the natural qualities of the wood that I am working. For me, materials selection is the bigger part of creating. Therefore, I most often use a hand-rubbed oil and varnish blend, then rub and rub and rub some more. Like a thoroughbred race horse after a gallant run (I’m from Kentucky), my wood gets a meaningful massage as a well deserved finish.

By: Darryl Mayer

Darryl Mayer — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 17:57:06 +0000

I used to use lacquer now I’ve switched to conversion varnish. It doesn’t smell as bad and dries faster and I can use fewer coats for a durable finish

By: Ken Schultze

Ken Schultze — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 17:38:19 +0000

My favorite is hand rubbed oil finish “Tried and True” but its very time consuming. I was introduced to this method from my Jedi master Mark Koons, http://www.MarKKoons.com. I will use this method if I am making something that does not get much surface abuse. For things like coffee tables I use linseed oil or tung oil to bring out the beauty of the wood and have been really happy using General brand oil poly applied with a cloth. It seems to dry very fast, at least here in Wyoming which is a very dry climate. I make sure I apply three very light coats that gives me an almost sprayed look result. I am still learning about different approaches from my friend Mark. He also was friends with James Krenov and I am trying to stay true to the approach of working close to the wood which I feel is a great path to the meaning of our craft.