Formula for a Finish

[dave harris]

I recently heard of a formula for a finish that consisted of 3 parts, BLO, denatured alcohol, and i can't think of the third item, i want to say shellac, but i am not sure. Anyone heard of the mixture and had experience with it? If not, can someone recommend a easy, wipe on finish for turnings not required to be foodsafe?

Thanks

 

[Mike Peace]

Antique Oil is generally a 1/3 oil (tung or BLO), 1/3 mineral spirits, and 1/3 varnish. I have not found it worth the time to bother to mix since it is far more convenient to buy a quart or two of a Minwax or Watco Danish or AO since that is about all I use in a year of turning. And I do a fair amount of turning. YMMV.

I would be interested in hearing why a hobby turner turning only a few bowls a week would choose to mix their own.

 

[dave harris]

just curious about different formulas, what are the pros and cons of different finishes, I heard of the 3 part formula somewhere and was wondering about it

 

[MichaelMouse]

Check on the other forum. The answer is there. It's shellac.

 

[Dan Carter]

French Polish

I've used this formula for years, 1/3 BLO, 1/3 Denatured Alcohol, and 1/3 Shellac. Old time French Polish formula. I used to tell my students that I wanted them to put on a couple coats, heh heh Gives the wood and nice depth. But I've found it is somewhat suseptable to moisture.

Dan

 

[dave harris]

That's the term i was looking for in regards to that formula i heard somewhere. "French Polish" . boy for the life of me i could not remember it. Thanks Dan

 

[MichaelMouse]

Might be better to look for "friction polish."

French polishing uses the oil in drops for lubrication of the "fad," "tampon" or "muneca."

 

[Owen Lowe]

Antique Oil is generally a 1/3 oil (tung or BLO), 1/3 mineral spirits, and 1/3 varnish. I have not found it worth the time to bother to mix since it is far more convenient to buy a quart or two of a Minwax or Watco Danish or AO since that is about all I use in a year of turning. And I do a fair amount of turning. YMMV.

I would be interested in hearing why a hobby turner turning only a few bowls a week would choose to mix their own.

I mix my own because then I am assured of the ingredients in the mix. My choice in varnish is Behlen's Rockhard Table Varnish - a high solids, quality varnish. I also don't like mineral spirits and prefer VMP Naptha for the solvent.

Additionally, I can alter the mix ratios to suit. For example, I can create a mix with a greater percentage of varnish to build faster - or add more oil to spread easier. I can modify the mix in mid-use.

Lastly, the individual components keep for a very long time and can be used to mix quite a bit of finish. If the varnish gels, I only have to replace that component, not all three.

 

[Dolan Brown]

I recently heard of a formula for a finish that consisted of 3 parts, BLO, denatured alcohol, and i can't think of the third item, i want to say shellac, but i am not sure. Anyone heard of the mixture and had experience with it? If not, can someone recommend a easy, wipe on finish for turnings not required to be foodsafe?

Thanks

Dave,

I think what you are referring to is called O.B.'s Shine Juice. Do a Google to read the story about it.

Here is the formula.

Ingredients:
3 ounces of plain, uncolored shellac. (Zinsser’s Bulls Eye Shellac, Clear)
3 ounces of Boiled Linseed Oil. (Do not boil plain linseed oil)
3 ounces of Denatured Alcohol (do not use any other alcohol product)

I use it to finish several things right on the lathe, especially Cocobolo bottle stoppers. It makes them look they really shine.

 

[justaccord]

Dave,

I think what you are referring to is called O.B.'s Shine Juice.

Interesting. I've always known it as Bonnie Klein's mixture. The thing about the openness of turners and their willingness to share everything is you never really know who started what, do you?

 

[Wyatt Holm]

I use a 3 part formula: linseed oil, polyurathane, and oderless mineral spirit. A small amount of Japan dryer can also be added.