Banksia nut finishing

[kitisi]

I recently turned several banksia nuts into small bud vases, any suggestions on a good finish for this type of wood, appreciate any suggestions

 

[Joe Herrmann]

I just sand them down with a high enough grit paper to burnish the wood and leave it without finish. I never wanted to damage the "red velvet" in the middle layer by applying a "wet" finish, although I must admit, I never experimented to see if a wet finish would actually damage the fuzz.

Joe

 

[john lucas]

I just turned 3 of them in the last few months. I use lacquer. It doesn't seem to affect the red fuzz at all. I find that interesting. I thought it would harden the stuff but it doesn't. I rubbed the first coat on and sprayed the last 3 coats. This stuff polishes nicely so Joe's comment on sanding to a higher grit is probably worth the time. I only sanded to 400 and then sprayed and they look great.

 

[KEN RIEDEL]

was I told wrong

:mad: I was told to turn the fuzz away going down to solid wood .makes for a small piece WAS I told wrong ?

 

[john lucas]

Ken You can't get rid of the red fuzz and keep a good shape. I just leave it. My customers find it really interesting.

 

[Jake Niedling]

I have turned some christmas ornaments where all the red fuzz is turned away. Like John Lucas said, I sand to 400 and wipe on about 3 coats of a 50/50 mixture of lacquer and lacquer thinner. Buff out afterward with Beal system. The look great.