Thread: Mini picture frames

I really like the simplicity of this frame..... leaves all the attention on the pictures.
I am wondering tho..... you stained silky oak? I've never done that..... never thought of doing it actually because so far have never come across a piece that didn't have beautiful colour to begin with?

Question...... when you say "wipe on poly" do you mean some special stuff made for that or do you use any? I've been frustrated by the mirrortone always running or blooming so in desperation have started to wipe it off right after applying it.... that sort of works..... but can't use this "technique" on everything

Juvy

Hi Juvy,

Thanks for your comments, I like simple and hopefully well made. (Unless of course you are trying to match up with something more classical or ornate) Art Deco style is about right!

In answer to your questions....

I wouldn't normally stain silky oak either but originally when I started doing furniture for this family, I had to stain the new furniture to match the other as it was together.(A new change table that had to sit on top of a restored 1930's silky oak chest of drawers which was made out of a different species of silky oak which is a darker reddish/brown colour) So as I have made new items, I have just continued using the same stain/timber combination to keep it all consistent. (They chose the stain colour originally)

As for wipe on polyurethane...I like many other forumites use MINWAX brand, usually in satin which is available from Bunnings. I have done lots of stuff with it and now almost never brush polyurethane and seldom spray it even though I have all the equipment to do it.

I sand to 320, then wipe on a coat with a piece of old singlet..leave it overnight to dry.
Next day, give it a very light sand to knock any raised grain off and give it another coat and can usually get 2 coats done in a day with a light sand in between.
The next and last coat, I usually give a more liberal coat and I always get a really good finish.
Some will then allow it to dry hard and give it a cut with EEE Ultrashine (UBEAUT) and finally a wax.

If you do a search on the forums, others have posted how they use it too (Try Wongo, I think he had something on it somewhere)

Cheers,

Chipman

Thanks for all the information Chipman, I'm always looking for new, hopefully better/easier ways to finish things..... but this one doesnt' sound like it would work for the things I do... maybe for thick stand up puzzles, but not the fretwork portraits...

Even if the wipe on would work, the wax treatment wouldn't I'd think the wax would get stuck in all the little crevices... bummer since Ken sells it.... lol
Actually the only thing I use in scolling from his shop is the sanding sealer.... can't believe it took me 3 years to give it a try. Might be worse giving all the other Ubeaut products a try for scrolling?

Juvy

You are right about the wax.... no good in little crevices! It could be possible to just use a waxy rag though...one were the wax has been well rubbed into it.

Anyway, I don't always use wax and I suspect for scroll work/fret work, spraying might be a better option?

Cheers,

Chipman

I use a lot of oil, looks good to me, but there are customers who just love really shiny things. I think it looks too much like a plastic coating when you spray them, but....customer is always right

Juvy