Thread: Finish suggestions

hey all, I've got purpleheart, bloodwood, and more on the way along with some beeswax finish, but I just wanted to touch bases here before i get neck-deep in a project. What is y'alls preferred finish? I am going to try a CA finish on at least 1 (I have 4 to make for now) and i have wax for the others. I prefer the earthiness you get from hardwood, not a fan of the shiney stuff but what the hay, ill give it a try anyway because i know how durable it is. ANYWAY. the question: who here has used a wax finish, how did you like it, and how has it fared over time?

Natural oils, such as nut oils and wax have always been my finish of choice.Am not of the camp that spends hrs working a pce of fine wood and than covering it with some form of plastic..
Granted, oil and wax finishes need to be maintained (rewaxed on occasion) but the beauty of the wood brought out by natural finishes is what I try to achieve.

What is your application process for waxes? Do you rub it on or do you melt/submerge?

Originally Posted by KLOOB

What is your application process for waxes? Do you rub it on or do you melt/submerge?

I use multiple coats of renwax,Rubbed on than polished off.

I, too, prefer waxes and oils to CA, polyurethane, etc.
With the waxes, I rub them on and polish them off. Repeat multiple times until I get the depth that I prefer.
With oils, I rub them in, wait a few hours, and then rub down with 000 steel wool. Repeat multiple times.
For darker brown woods I will often use tung oil varnish which doesn't need as much upkeep.

Teak Oil, Danish Oil, and a penetrating finish called Seafin are my standard goto finishes

Since making a Vacuum chamber I use that quite extensively now followed by RenWax after, to give pretty much a waterproof result...

I have a "test" brush that I did this way that is basically impervious to soaking

I will still use a CA finish on Burls for added strength when doing scales