Finishes - Replacement for Mohawk (Behlem M611-08885) woodturners finish

[Joe Stout]

I have been using Mohawk (Behlem M611-08885) woodturners finish for many years and love it. However, it is getting harder to find and more expensive. Can anyone recommend an alternative that provides a similar finish?

 

[Doug Freeman]

Best guess from looking at the product data sheet is that it is shellac due to the amount of ethanol listed. It could be lacquer.

There are some ready made shellac and lacquer based “turners finish” or “sealer” that would work. I mix my own so I cant help you with specific ready to use products.

 

[Richard Coers]

It's a shellac product with resins. Some really nasty stuff in it, so I can see the problems. Stuff that is heavier than air and stays on the floor until it gets to the hot water heater pilot light.
WOODTURNER'S FINISH, B611-08885 - Pint • UPS Only •
$23.90
M611-08885
WOODTURNER'S FINISH Specially formulated for “On Lathe” application

Woodturner's Finish ends the problem of finishing a round wooden surface.
No more finish runs, unfinished, or under finished surfaces.
Turner's Finish is a ready to use, fast drying, padding finish, especially for lathe
finishing of round wooden objects: spindles, lamp bases, pool cues, pens, etc.



• Fast drying finish for round wooden objects
• Use to create a wet look finish in seconds
• A ready to use shellac and resin based formula
• Develops a high sheen; rejuvenates most any cured finish

Formerly Behlen - B611-08885 Clean-up: Denatured Alcohol
Shellac formulation - thin with Mohawk Shellac Reducer / Behkol Solvent

 

[Joe Stout]

Best guess from looking at the product data sheet is that it is shellac due to the amount of ethanol listed. It could be lacquer.

There are some ready made shellac and lacquer based “turners finish” or “sealer” that would work. I mix my own so I cant help you with specific ready to use products.

Thanks for your insight. I'll look around for an alternative.

 

[Joe Stout]

It's a shellac product with resins. Some really nasty stuff in it, so I can see the problems. Stuff that is heavier than air and stays on the floor until it gets to the hot water heater pilot light.
WOODTURNER'S FINISH, B611-08885 - Pint • UPS Only •
$23.90
M611-08885
WOODTURNER'S FINISH Specially formulated for “On Lathe” application

Woodturner's Finish ends the problem of finishing a round wooden surface.
No more finish runs, unfinished, or under finished surfaces.
Turner's Finish is a ready to use, fast drying, padding finish, especially for lathe
finishing of round wooden objects: spindles, lamp bases, pool cues, pens, etc.



• Fast drying finish for round wooden objects
• Use to create a wet look finish in seconds
• A ready to use shellac and resin based formula
• Develops a high sheen; rejuvenates most any cured finish

Formerly Behlen - B611-08885 Clean-up: Denatured Alcohol
Shellac formulation - thin with Mohawk Shellac Reducer / Behkol Solvent

Richard - I've been using it for years without issue. I guess it is fortunate I don't have a pilot light! Thanks anyway.

 

[Doug Freeman]

Zinsser shellac is the easiest replacement, waxed and dewaxed, just thin with denatured alcohol or ethanol. You can get it at lowes etc.

https://www.rustoleum.com/product-catalog/consumer-brands/zinsser-products/woodcare

There are also flakes that you dissolve yourself. There’s a turners finish 1/3 each - solvent, shellac, blo.