General purpose finish

[Redbeard]

The bottle of Shellawax is coming to an end and I'm starting to look around for another general purpose finish. Something which can do most things, bowls, boxes, handles, that sort of thing. Nothing against our lord and saviour's products but they say a change is as good as a holiday, and I could really use a holiday.

Any reccomendations?

[brainstrust]

ob shine juice may well be your answer :)

[China]

They also say if you are on a good thing stick to it, or if it aint broke don't fix it

[Skew ChiDAMN!!]

I'm partial to Tung Oil as my "do everything" finish, although most people would probably prefer a Danish instead, due to the quicker drying time. Still the same thing, more or less.

Mind you, I do a thinned "soak coat" to get good penetration before trying to build up the surface layers.

Between Shellawax, Tung Oil and Shellac, I haven't felt the need to touch any of my many other finishes in a looong time. Some of 'em are probably absolutely useless by now; I wouldn't know as I haven't even looked at 'em beyond throwing 'em in a box when moving house... :-

[Redbeard]

OB shine juice is certainly one option. Would anyone care to suggest the cut of the shellac being used? All the Americans seem to be buying it pre-mixed. I have plenty of flakes and metho so home brew send like the best option to me.

[brainstrust]

1/3 of each but if you are using flakes that may change but generally shellac, metho, boiled linseed oil.

[Redbeard]

1/3 of each but if you are using flakes that may change but generally shellac, metho, boiled linseed oil.Yes, except shellac is made with metho and shellac flakes so the shellac 1/3 is also predominantly metho as well. I can deal with that but I'm just being lazy and hoping someone will know how concentrated the pre-mixed shellac is so I can mix my own to suit.

[Redbeard]

I'm partial to Tung Oil as my "do everything" finish, although most people would probably prefer a Danish instead, due to the quicker drying time. Still the same thing, more or less.

Mind you, I do a thinned "soak coat" to get good penetration before trying to build up the surface layers.

Between Shellawax, Tung Oil and Shellac, I haven't felt the need to touch any of my many other finishes in a looong time. Some of 'em are probably absolutely useless by now; I wouldn't know as I haven't even looked at 'em beyond throwing 'em in a box when moving house... :-Skew, are you using the pure Tung oil I've seen online or just the usual suspects from around the traps?

[brainstrust]

Yes, except shellac is made with metho and shellac flakes so the shellac 1/3 is also predominantly metho as well. I can deal with that but I'm just being lazy and hoping someone will know how concentrated the pre-mixed shellac is so I can mix my own to suit.

I'd just say your shellac concoction is shellac so still go by the equal 3 parts!

[brainstrust]

though buy a tin of shellac which i know in australia isn't straight forward!

[Paul39]

I use straight Tung oil, thinned for the first coat. It makes a silky soft finish which sells well here. On a hard timber it can be built up to a shiny finish with a number of coats and overnight dry.

I'm with Skew above.

Paul

[yvan]

Skew ChiDAMN!!

"...Mind you, I do a thinned "soak coat" to get good penetration before trying to build up the surface layers...."

Is your Tung Oil "soak coat" Tung Oil thinned with Turps? If so, what ratios?

Much appreciated Yvan

[Skew ChiDAMN!!]

Skew, are you using the pure Tung oil I've seen online or just the usual suspects from around the traps?

Pure TO. Mind you, I have to drive interstate to get it. :sigh:


Skew ChiDAMN!!

"...Mind you, I do a thinned "soak coat" to get good penetration before trying to build up the surface layers...."

Is your Tung Oil "soak coat" Tung Oil thinned with Turps? If so, what ratios?

Much appreciated Yvan

Yep. I'm not an "apply by the measure" kind of guy, I tend to eyeball everything. Good Tung Oil is fairly fluid under warm conditions anyway, so I generally wait for a warm day to finish with TO. Then I'll decant as much TO into a jar as I expect to need and frugally add turps until it'll paint on freely.

The Turps:TO ratio varies, depending on the temperature but off the top of my head it'd be in the range of 1:10 to 1:5

The less Turps I can get away with, the happier I am.

BTW, apparently Citrus solvent is a 'better' thinner for TO, but I've never tried it myself.

[crowie]

Pure TO. Mind you, I have to drive interstate to get it. :sigh:

.

G'Day Skew, I've purchased Pure Tung Oil directly from "Sceneys" in Melbourne.

I bought 3 x 1 Litre bottles; safe for transport and only cost about $26.50 per litre including freight to my door.

Tung Oil, Tung Oil Floor Finish (http://www.sceneys.com.au/tung-oil.php)

Cheers, Peter

PS - I use the Tung Oil to make a home made wipe on poly as the finish for all my toys.....
30% Tung Oil, 30% Turps, 40& Clear Satin Polyurethane....
Recommendation came from a former forum member, a good mate, Ian, a master wood turner in Melbourne area, and works a treat, highly recommend it....

[Skew ChiDAMN!!]

G'Day Skew, I've purchased Pure Tung Oil directly from "Sceneys" in Melbourne.

I bought 3 x 1 Litre bottles; safe for transport and only cost about $26.50 per litre including freight to my door.

Tung Oil, Tung Oil Floor Finish (http://www.sceneys.com.au/tung-oil.php)

Now, that is happy news, Thank you! :D

Sceney's is, indeed, what I buy but the only reliable source I've found is a paint supplier in Cowes, Vic. As we visit friends there most Xmas's I've always bought a bottle or two en route home.

Y'know, I think I've been given that link before? Old habits die hard, ya can't each an old dog... :-

[Lappa]

Sydney source of Tung oil and citrus thinners

Tung Oil : Oil, Tung, Pure (https://www.thewoodworks.com.au/shop/consumable/tung-oil/pure-tung-oil-detail)

[crowie]

Sydney source of Tung oil and citrus thinners

Tung Oil : Oil, Tung, Pure (https://www.thewoodworks.com.au/shop/consumable/tung-oil/pure-tung-oil-detail)

I only paid $26.50 per litre delivered so that's damn expensive