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finishing walnut

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Jul 24, 2008
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I'm having a difficult time finishing walnut. Is walnut typically a more difficult wood to get a nice finish on than others like cherry, oak, and maple?

Thanks,

Dave F.
 

john lucas

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Well when you compare it to those woods, maybe. Walnut is obviously more porous, also Mahogany and Ash. For those woods you either have to fill the pores or live with less gloss. I don't like the way walnut looks when it has a glossy finish without filling the pores. I usually will leave it with a satin finish. That looks more natural and doesn't highlight the pores. I do this by putting on several layers of whatever finish I want. Then I rub it down with 4/0 steel wool. If it's too flat looking I'll put a layer of wax on. That brings the it up a little so it looks good but doesn't have that plastic glossy look tht you get if you put a gloss finish on Walnut without filling the pores.
If you want a really glossy look to Walnut the easiest way that I have found so far is to use Birchwood-Casey's True Oil. You can buy it at most sporting good stores or gun shops and sometimes Walmart. It was designed for finishing walnut gun stocks. You put a layer on, then the next day you steel wool it off. It will look satin but the pores will be glossy. Do this every day until you get a completely satin look without the pores showing. It usually takes me about 7 to 10 coats, maybe up to 12 or so on occasion. Then just put one more coat on and let it dry. It leaves a very glossy durable finish. It does yellow it some compared to other finishes.
 

odie

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Peperation of the surface is a contributor to a great finish, too!

Walnut is a species (more so than most), that will expose fine sanding marks from the lathe that are extremely difficult to see.....until after the final finish has been applied. This can be a bit frustrating until you train yourself to know what, and how to look for fine scratches that will become more noticeable. Re-sanding after a finish has been applied is something you don't ever want to do again! :(

On the bright side, Walnut responds well to random orbital finish sanding. I usually wait until regular sanding gets to 400gt, and then hit it with random orbital sander at 400gt with the lathe turning at very low rpm.......about 25rmp, I'd say. Barring any hand touch-up, the surface will now be ready for application of finish.

ooc
 

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I have used Tru-Oil on gunstocks that I made. It is a great finish and is very durable. I used 4 or 5 coats on the gunstocks.
 
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