• The forum upgrades have been completed. These were moderate security fixes from our software vendor and it looks like everything is working well. If you see any problems please post in the Forum Technical Support forum or email us at forum_moderator (at) aawforum.org. Thank you
  • February 2026 Turning Challenge: Cookie Jar! (click here for details)
  • Congratulations to Matt Carvalho for "Red Mallee Folded Form" being selected as Turning of the Week for February 9, 2026 (click here for details)
  • AAW Symposium demonstrators announced - If the 2026 AAW International Woodturning Symposium is not on your calendar, now is the time to register. And there are discounts available if you sign up early, by Feb. 28. Early Bird pricing gives you the best rate for our 40th Anniversary Symposium in Raleigh, North Carolina, June 4–7, 2026. (There are discounts for AAW chapter members too) For more information vist the discussion thread here or the AAW registration page
  • Welcome new registering member. Your username must be your real First and Last name (for example: John Doe). "Screen names" and "handles" are not allowed and your registration will be deleted if you don't use your real name. Also, do not use all caps nor all lower case.

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
 
Last edited:
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.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top