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finish for redwood

K

Kurt Manley

Joined
Jan 3, 2023
Messages
103
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Location
Arnold, CA
I recently found a piece of redwood burl driftwood on the beach and turned a small vessel out of part of it. I was pretty happy with how it turned out but when I applied my usual finish of Tried and True original it darkened the piece far too much. The grain is lost. I am in the process of sanding the finish back off by hand and am looking for opinions on a finish that would go over the tried and true well and not darken the piece any further. At the moment I am thinking of just waxing it after I sand it to a point that looks good but I am a newer turner and would appreciate some more experienced opinions.
I still really like Tried and True original finish, it just wasn't the right choice here and I should have tested it first.
 
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I have had a bit of experience finishing redwood platters and bowls. spray lacquer seems to be one of the best finishes that doesn't leave it blotchy and dark. Forget walnut oil, or anything that has oil or tung, or anything like that. It will leave it blotchy and you'll have the fun of sanding it off.
 
John Hicks said:
I have had a bit of experience finishing redwood platters and bowls. spray lacquer seems to be one of the best finishes that doesn't leave it blotchy and dark. Forget walnut oil, or anything that has oil or tung, or anything like that. It will leave it blotchy and you'll have the fun of sanding it off.
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Thanks John, It's been a long time since I used lacquer. I will check it out.
 
Don't use any version of an oil finish, it all darkens redwood and makes it look like mud. I've had no luck with limited tries of water based finish. You broke the golden rule of finishing by not trying your finish on a piece of scrap. I'm shocked that you can sand that Tried and True out of the pores of the redwood. My thought was that the abrasive would fill up in seconds.
 
You might try Myland's high build friction polish if the bowl is more of a display piece. It's shellac and beeswax. I don't think it would hold up to heavy use, though.
 
Richard Coers said:
Don't use any version of an oil finish, it all darkens redwood and makes it look like mud. I've had no luck with limited tries of water based finish. You broke the golden rule of finishing by not trying your finish on a piece of scrap. I'm shocked that you can sand that Tried and True out of the pores of the redwood. My thought was that the abrasive would fill up in seconds.
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I certainly did break the golden rule and I also doubt I will be able to sand away the finish completely but I have succeeded so far in lightening it up quite a bit. Fingers crossed I can get it even better but we'll see...
 
For the best natural looking finish use a "water white" lacquer. Any good business that carries finishs for furniture makers or repairers should be able to help you.
 
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