Kwila cube - should I oil them or just leave as?

[Albert]

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here are some pics of the Kwila cube I made before, was wondering what finishing product should I use? oil? stain? what would be the best for Kwila? this is to be used indoor.

Thanks for your input?

[Robson Valley]

Have you got enough scraps to do some experiments?
I'm very happy with MinWax Tung Oil Protective Finish on many of my wood carvings.
It seems to bring out the grain and figure in the wood, of course darkening it somewhat.
I'd like more visual appeal in the wood that you have used.

One coat is fairly satin and doesn't seem to raise many wicky-fuzzy bits.
When you can't smell it, time for the next coat(s).
Four coats is water/wet shiney.
I think that you could dumb that down with some 800 grit wet paper work.

[dai sensei]

I used Wipe-on-Poly for mine

[Albert]

Have you got enough scraps to do some experiments?
I'm very happy with MinWax Tung Oil Protective Finish on many of my wood carvings.
It seems to bring out the grain and figure in the wood, of course darkening it somewhat.
I'd like more visual appeal in the wood that you have used.

One coat is fairly satin and doesn't seem to raise many wicky-fuzzy bits.
When you can't smell it, time for the next coat(s).
Four coats is water/wet shiney.
I think that you could dumb that down with some 800 grit wet paper work.

Thanks for that, I will give it a try, I have loads of scraps to do some experiments, I hope MiniWax is not too pricey!

[Albert]

I used Wipe-on-Poly for mine

wipe on poly? hmm never thought about this before but will give it a try thanks!

[Robson Valley]

Most of my carvings are done in western red cedar (Thuja plicata.) Most between 20 and 75cm longest dimension.
The first coat of TOPF soaks into the spongy wood, then next 2 or 3 coats seem to take a tablespoon to complete.
I don't recall when I bought a liter of it, still lots left!
I do see that you have a lot of area to cover, but a little seems to go a long way. I decant 50ml into a small jar
adding more when needed. None to waste or even try to pour back into the tin.

[Skew ChiDAMN!!]

Forget about stain, unless you're trying to match it to other furniture. The grain in that is pretty enough as it is!

I've long been a fan of Tung Oil. I love the way it enhances the grain & colour, and when a piece starts looking a bit battered with time and (ab)use, it's a simple matter of a very light sand and wiping on another coat.

Wipe on Poly is more durable, but doesn't enhance the grain as much and is more of a pain to repair the finish further down the line. However, it applies much more quickly & easily than Tung Oil.

[Robson Valley]

We have 2 things = Tung Oil and the MinWax "Tung Oil Protective Finish."
The TOPF is quite popular here, dries in a week or less and the results are quite predictable.

I like Skew's obsrevations. I agree.

From what I have seen in the pictures, the grain and figure will really "leap out"
with a TOPF finish.

If/when I come over to your house for a visit, the wood will sell itself.

[Albert]

We have 2 things = Tung Oil and the MinWax "Tung Oil Protective Finish."
The TOPF is quite popular here, dries in a week or less and the results are quite predictable.

I like Skew's obsrevations. I agree.

From what I have seen in the pictures, the grain and figure will really "leap out"
with a TOPF finish.

If/when I come over to your house for a visit, the wood will sell itself.

Thanks for that! I will give it a try!

[Robson Valley]

Some wood carvings have more shaped edges than others.
In any case, I just brush it on and walk away.