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Finishing Cypress

Drew Sumrell

Drew Sumrell

Joined
Sep 5, 2019
Messages
40
Likes
77
Location
Boone, NC
Hi all, in recent months I've turned several pieces from cypress. I've finished a few in tung oil and a few with a shellac based finish. It seems in a few weeks, the finish loses its luster. I suspect the oils in the cypress are leeching through the finished I've been using.

If anyone here has worked with cypress and had success with a finish, I would certainly appreciate hearing about your materials and process.

Cheers,

Drew

This one developed some tacky areas after a few months. I think this was done with Mylands.

Cypress Hollow Form Bowl.JPG
 
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I turn a fair bit of Alaska yellow cedar, which is in the cypress family (not a cedar.) I thin the tung oil with citrus oil, which is pretty much a a more natural replacement for spirits or turps. Finishes look good after a few years...but I've never turned the more standard cypress.
 
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