Thread: Stabilising project with Sanding sealer

Could slip a plastic bag over it?

That's what I've always done, works well.

Originally Posted by Gensol

What is the simplest way to temporarily retard excessive moisture loss from the surface of a partly turned bowl?
I just want to be able to finish turning the outside and leave the blank on the lathe for a few hours, up to a day, without having to worry about fine cracks developing. Would spraying it with sanding sealer be enough to keep the finished surface from drying out? The blank would usually be quite dry as I have plenty of wood and prefer to just turn once. Nevertheless, I expect that there would be some further moisture loss once I start turning it.
I have tried oil but it’s generally not my preferred finish and has to be sanded off again before I can apply another finish.
I would appreciate any advice.

Oil is fine, you just have to make sure its a setting oil, I routinely oil everything I do and when dry you can apply whatever finish you want to it. Plastic bags etc as it has been suggested, cover it with a plastic bag this a very common practice and by far the quickest and cheapest.

Originally Posted by hughie

Oil is fine, you just have to make sure its a setting oil, I routinely oil everything I do and when dry you can apply whatever finish you want to it. Plastic bags etc as it has been suggested, cover it with a plastic bag this a very common practice and by far the quickest and cheapest.

what is a setting oil?

Originally Posted by Tonyz

what is a setting oil?

The most common is BLO or Boiled Linseed Oil

Thanks for your responses. Food for thought. ��

I also wrap in a garbage bag if leaving a piece on the lathe overnight or for a day or two. In the following case I have left the opening in this hollow form open as drying from the inside --> out doesn't cause cracks to to start or grow the way drying from the outside --> in does...

tempory wrap.jpg

Plastic bag is all you need. If you're concerned about moisture loss still, spray all over with a spray bottle or wrap in a damp rag and then the plastic bag.