Finish for Wet Wood

[Matthew Dudak]

I once turned a bowl today and realized that I didn't know what finish I should put on it. I figured that a film-forming finish wouldn't work well, so I ended up putting a hard wax oil (Osmo) on it.

What do you put on once-turned, relatively green turnings?

 

[Tim Connell]

Nothing until they are dry.

If you are trying to slow drying put it into a paper grocery bag on the floor and should be dry with a couple weeks depending on conditions.

 

[Alan Weinberg]

I have no trouble putting coats of polynerized tung oil on immediately after turning a wet piece. Doesn’t seem to make a difference waiting till it’s dry. Did it today on a camphor piece I turned.

 

[Steve Tiedman]

Nothing until they are dry.

If you are trying to slow drying put it into a paper grocery bag on the floor and should be dry with a couple weeks depending on conditions.

Ditto. I don't know of any finish that has instructions to apply to wet wood. In my mind, bulk water in the wood (levels greater than equilibrium moisture content) can adversly affect the proper curing of any type of finish, penetrating or film.

 

[Alan Weinberg]

Interesting discussion. Having oiled wet wood after turning, it still moves as it dries and still cures. Maybe my pieces that I oil wet are close to dry since wall thickness when I finish is thin. I use Sutherland-Welles PTO. I don’t see a downside. Those of you who say it shouldn’t be done need to try it and see for yourself . . .

 

[Kevin Jenness]

It will slow drying of green wood. At the same time the water will slow curing of the finish.

 

[Steve Tiedman]

Okay, seeing some back and forth advice here, I'll add other thoughts.

Contact the product development/engineering folk at the manufacturers of your preferred finishes, describe what you want to do, and get their professional advice based on their science and research.

Like other things in life, I maintain a philosophy of, "Just because I can, it doesn't mean I should."

 

[Tim Connell]

I think it all depends on your definition of wet wood. The wood I'm turning wet is too wet to be sanded for a final surface, and applying a finish would be just an expensive way to slow drying. Paper bag is much cheaper.