nubie

Hi
I am making a plant stand out of mahogany for my daughter. This will be my first hardwood project. I have made 2 “proto types” out of pine. On these, I used stain and poly with ok results. For this mahogany project, I would like a more professional looking finish. I think I want to skip the stain and get the natural wood to show up. I’m thinking of using Tung oil? I read some threads about products advertised as Tung oil but they contain no Tung oil. Is there a good Tung oil someone could recommend I get? Do I simply rub on several coats or is there more to it than that? Will a Tung oil finish protect the wood from an occasional water splatter? Is poly or varnish applied over Tung oil for wood finishes that might get water on them?

Obviously I put some money in the mahogany and I sure don’t want to give my daughter a crappy looking plant stand to remember me by.

Thanks for any help,
Nubie

jerry

No oil finish(tung,linseed or anything else) is agood finish by its self. I would use Waterlox Original varnish,it will give you the amber of an oil and the protection of a phenolic resin varnish that is harder than polyurethane varnish and looks better.

Regards

Jerry

Byrney

How about shellac followed by a paste wax like Briwax? If you want to show off the natural grain of the wood this is arguably the best way to do it. Although I don't know how easy it would be to apply - I use it for finishing turned pieces, where you have the convenience of the piece spinning in the lathe. Anyone out there got any tips on shellac as a furniture finish? I know it would withstand water spalshes no problem, although wouldn't be suitable for prolonged exposure or immersion.

jerry

I am a big fan of shellac and use a lot of it. If you are reasonably sure the spilled water will be wiped off the same day it should be fine. For mahogany I would use freshly made orange shellac.

Regards

Jerry

johnjf0622

What about Varithane for outdoor. Like they use on boat woodwork. I refinished a bar for a friend and the salesman said it would be best due to the wet condition of a bar.

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