Thread: Help for challenging small sliding lid box finish

Wow sixty odd views and not a single comment!

Hi and welcome to the forums,

You ask a lot from your finish! But I see your issue.

You might like to give OSMO oil a go. Some furniture makers swear by it. (http://www.osmoaustralia.com.au/)

It might also be worth a call to Organoil about the issue.

(www.facebook.com/Organoil-Timber-Finishes-130137020383457/)

Regards,

Rob

Thanks Rob for the welcome anD for the recommendation. Been doing some reading on Osmo Oil and seems like an impressive product. Will do more research tomorrow, but looks promising. Thanks again.
SV

Vote two for OSMO. I see you are in Qld, Brisbane perhaps? If you are in Brisbane you should PM me. You might be able to test OSMO without financial outlay.

Cheers

Originally Posted by Enfield Guy

Vote two for OSMO. I see you are in Qld, Brisbane perhaps? If you are in Brisbane you should PM me. You might be able to test OSMO without financial outlay.

Cheers

Thanks Tom,
I'm in Gympie I'm afraid otherwise that would have been great.
Can you suggest a supplier that will post to me here.
Also I hear there are four levels of sheen from matt to gloss, but I only seem to find matt and Semi-matt/Satin listed in Australia.
There seem to be a lot of options from decking to floor to benchtop versions I'm not sure how these compare for my particular aplication and, I also see that the price is high for the larger cans but the "Top oil" is available in 500mls (up to Satin) here : Top Oil for Benchtops - Natural Timber Oils Victoria
Which version sheen level have you used?

Another couple of questions about the Osmo oil, and forgive my ignorance here, but am I going to have and issue with a highly sanded surface. I tend to sand mt boxes to at least 2500 grit, will this create an adhesion issue, and is so what is the highest grit sanding I should go with. Being as the stabilised blanks ( they are still porous and absorbent )I use are all highly figured burl sanding scratches cannot be hidden in with the grain.

This from their application sheet:
"
Sand the timber’s surface, finishing with
80 grit for hardwoods such as Jarrah and
Eucalypt, and 100 - 120 grit for woods such
as Oak,
Cypress Pine etc. (For old dry
softwoods such as cedar and pine
, finish with 150 grit paper).
Note:
Ensure all sanding marks are removed
from the timber; otherwise they
will be accentuated and visible through the fini
sh. Remember – the final result and appearance
depends
on the quality of the sanding! Remove any sanding dust."


Also I have been considering using some Ubeaut water dyes to enhance the figure before finishing. Applying a weak wash and sanding back so the more absorbent fibers take on the darker colour and the denser areas get sanded clear, would this technique be suitable in combination with the Osmo oil?

I found the Gloss version here :OSMO PolyX Oil Original Range – robcousens Indoor | Outdoor | Furniture
Any suggestions on which version might be best for me would be very much appreciated

Give them a ring. They will usually send a sample for nil or minimal cost. In your case a 5ml sample may well do more items than you think. The idea is to apply thinly, very,very important. As far as sanding is concerned, I rarely go beyond 180, maybe 240, but i mainly do larger pieces of furniture. I have not had adhesion issues yet following this process. I use satin primarily because I can't stand gloss finishes, they tend to reflect the surroundings rather than the wood grain, which in my view is what you want to see. If it was me in your shoes, I would ring Ray, discuss your needs and desires, get samples and play. Ray is very knowledgable and very helpful. In my view, a small can would last you a very long time. Such being the case, I would advise you to invert the can after use to create a better seal under the lid and store the can in its normal position in a fridge on a warmer setting than normal. I find I get better life out of the product that way, i.e.:it doesn't go off in the can. Decanting into smaller containers works well also.

Cheers
Bevan

Thanks Bevan,
Just watched this review : Brand New Product - Osmo PolyX Gloss - video
I was going to pull the trigger on a 375ml can of the Gloss from here:OSMO PolyX Oil Original Range – robcousens Indoor | Outdoor | Furniture
I think it's still a satiny finish just slightly higher sheen from the video, which on smaller items might be ideal.
I have left a message with "naturaltimberoils" to call me back is that where the "Ray" you speak of resides?

Yep. He's the distributor. Like I said, see if you can get a sample first, even if you have to pay. In your case it may well prove to be more economic given the size of the product you make and how much you would use per unit.

Yeah the gloss is nice, I suppose. I'm still a satin man though, even on smaller items. However, I do use a gloss finish for a couple of my production items where the market demands it, the market is stupid some times.

Originally Posted by Enfield Guy

Yep. He's the distributor. Like I said, see if you can get a sample first, even if you have to pay. In your case it may well prove to be more economic given the size of the product you make and how much you would use per unit.

I got a call back, Ray was away today , but the very nice lady is sending me some sample free of charge, so despite my impatient nature (you can tell that really helps with my finishing ) I will wait for them to arrive and do some testing before I add another large tin of unsuitable finishing product to my growing collection.
Thanks for the rewarding advice.
I just received my new book form the Uk (via ebay) today "Bob Flexner , Understating wood finishing", so finally I have some accurate (or at least that is my understanding) research material for my finish schooling.
One question that I know has been discussed before (but honestly all the discussion ended with the answer being as clear as mud to me, but USA Bob mentions Turpentine and then Mineral Spirits as separate products, can anyone clarify for me what Australian translations are?

My understanding is Turpentine is the same as here. Mineral spirits are known as white spirit here. Sometimes marketed as dry cleaning fluid. You should be able to buy either at the big green or blue sheds. My understanding is they are both similar in properties.

Don't forget to report back with how it goes for you. I for one would be interested.

Cheers
Bevan