A few days ago I turned a bowl out of cedar. I put one coat of salad bowl finish on it. The finish has dried on the sapwood part of the bowl, but a number of spots remain tacky on the heartwood part. I have let the bowl dry for five days or so but the finish still remains tacky. I have never had this problem with any other type of wood. I just got through rubbing alcohol on the tacky spots but they remain the same. Any suggestions?
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Help with tacky finish
- Thread starter Tom Lewis
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Many varnish finishes are not compatible with the VOC's and oils in aromatic cedar. You might have a better chance for success if you try to remove some of the oils and other stuff with a thorough cleaning using acetone. I would avoid any finish containing varnish that has a very high oil content such as linseed oil. Shellac works well on cedar, so a 1 lb. cut or even thinner of dewaxed super blonde shellac could be used to seal the wood and that could be followed by a film finish such as polyurethane thinned 50 - 50 with naptha and wiped on.
Bill
Bill
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Yep, common solvent for the cedar oils and the finish oils is the culprit. Traditionally, cabinetmakers have used shellac to seal the oils and resins out, though lacquer is certainly a possibility. Any finish not soluble, or poorly soluble in oil is your best option.
Time to use some turps or mineral spirits to work the excess stickiness out. As it thins, you may get some curing. What you won't get are assurances that future events won't allow resin or oil from within to damage the finish.
The wood burnishes to a high-gloss surface on its own, of course, or you can use one of the polar-solvent based finishes. I use shellac, but it seals the odor, too.
Time to use some turps or mineral spirits to work the excess stickiness out. As it thins, you may get some curing. What you won't get are assurances that future events won't allow resin or oil from within to damage the finish.
The wood burnishes to a high-gloss surface on its own, of course, or you can use one of the polar-solvent based finishes. I use shellac, but it seals the odor, too.
What a tacky question :cool2:
I agree with the other 2 posters. In addition, I have found that tung oil is a decent finish for cedar. But it was a very light coat. You may want to consider just removing the tacky part of the finish and buffing the piece out with light wax.
I agree with the other 2 posters. In addition, I have found that tung oil is a decent finish for cedar. But it was a very light coat. You may want to consider just removing the tacky part of the finish and buffing the piece out with light wax.
Had that same problem meself. Now I use eurythane. Not had a problem since. If you can get something with high UV protection, you can extend the life of the nice reds, pinks, and purples too. Otherwise, they will brown eventually.
Dietrich
Dietrich
Thanks for the help. Tom