Thread: Finish on different projects - Expand my experience

I use OSMO oil wax finish almost exclusively now. Expensive, but goes a loooong way, think 24+ square metres a litre. Easy to apply. Just keep brushing it out, you want to apply a very thin coat. Resistant to acids, alkalis, alcohol, etc. I highly recommend it.

Where about in Brisbane are you? I could show you products coated with it, and maybe give you a sample.

No affiliation with the product, except that I am a happy customer.

Cheers
Bevan

Thanks Bevan
It looks like maybe a type of wipeon Poly. It does not give a distributor for Qld on their web site. Do you feel it holds original timber color well?
I am in sth east - Alex Hills
Harry

A poly it ain't. Richard Vaughan did a write up in the latest Aust Wood Review of the OSMO product. The distributor is in Melbourne and will post as the product is not a dangerous good. I reckon you end up with just the "wet" look of the timber, remember, all finishes will alter the colour of dry wood.

I'm in Wavell Heights

There are a zillion finishes out there and each has its adherents and different strengths.

Factors to consider are whether you want a floss, satin or matt finish and will the item will be in the weather or the sun (in which case UV protection is needed) or fully indoors. Do you want a once-off never to be recoated hard finish? Are you happy to re-coat regularly? Hard wearing surfaces like floors have many speciality products from gloss two-packs to Tung oil. They all do the job, but differently.

I started out repairing/restoring Australian antiques and the finishes that have a proven track record (100's of years) include shellac. UBeaut make a white shellac that adds very little colour for something like your Lazy Susan. Their Hard Shellac provides a water resistant and food safe finish. Check their web site (forum sponsor/owner links). You can achieve a satin or gloss finish depending on the number of coats.

Ease of use and ease of clean-up are other considerations for you. When clients did not want shellac or I didn't have the time to French Polish I have used a very clear satin, water clean-up Estapol with success for dining tables and bookshelves in very light coloured Hoop Pine. No discoloration, easy to use and clean up.

Thanks all

I put straight Traditional Wax on some pine draws. I will see how that goes over time. Now to decide what other finishes to try.

Osmo also has a new product I'm about to try out called "Osmo Polyx Raw", which supposedly has an "almost invisible" finish..

Thanks Ben. Another to consider.

To maintain the 'whiteness" of the timber and reduceaging honey tones I recommend penetrating oils with a white pigment. The LivosKunos in a white pigment gives amazing results. The white pigments are absorbed into the grain highlighting them rather than a painted or heavy white paintlike finish that sits on top and would hide them.