Darryl Keil Last Activity 2025-09-09 11:09 AM
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Jo Yo

Posts: 1

Joined: 2010-03-18
Location: Kalona, IA

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Subject : Finishes
Posted : 2010-03-18 2:08 PM
Post #35967
I am using some highly figured walnut stump veneers for door panels. I will be finishing with a conversion varnish. I would like the figure to really roll beneath the finish. Should I sand the veneers flat, then finish? Or build several coats of finish then flatten the clear coat? Or are there other measures I might take to get maximum refraction out of this sweet log? (stain, shelac, etc.) I could trial and error, but I know someone can get me going in a general direction. Thanks, Jo


 
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Darryl Keil

Posts: 1455

Joined: 2003-05-22
Location: Maine

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Subject : RE: Finishes
Posted : 2010-03-19 8:59 AM
Post #35968 - In reply to #35967
Jo,

First I would sand to a fairly high grit. At minimum 220 grit but better would be 320. I find the finer you sand the more the grain "pops". Second I would lay down a oil finish first. There is something about a oil finish that really draws out the grain figure. I usually let this set a full week before starting with the conversion varnish. Two or three coats, sand thoroughly, then two or three more top coats, sand and polish. That's my approach.

Darryl Keil


 
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Steven Kenzer

Posts: 57

Joined: 2008-07-16
Location: Putney, VT

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Subject : RE: Finishes
Posted : 2010-03-20 7:40 AM
Post #35969 - In reply to #35968
Darryl, I'm curious what the specifics would be here. I've always been concerned about long term compatibility issues with oil under conversion varnish. Evidently the week long drying time has worked for you. Is this, say, Watco under ML Campbell CV? Are you concerned about a total of 6 coats of CV? I tend to be very cautious about more then 3 coats because of crazing issues with a thick CV finish. I've only read about this, never experienced it though. Maybe you're thinning down a bit more so the additional coats keep within thickness recommendations? Just curious..thanks.

Steven


 
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Darryl Keil

Posts: 1455

Joined: 2003-05-22
Location: Maine

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Subject : RE: Finishes
Posted : 2010-03-20 9:36 AM
Post #35970 - In reply to #35969
Steven,

I have never had any crazing issues with conversion varnish. Those first two or three coats get sanded right back down to the wood for the most part as I use them as primarily as the grain filler. I also tend to thin down a little more than usual as the finish flows out better for me that way.

So in the end there's really only 3 or 4 coats.

As far as the oil finish goes, I don't use a straight tung oil or similar products, but rather one of the mixed oil combo's like Watco or Minwax. You can use boiled linseed oil but that needs to sit longer before top coating. I don't do the oil thing on light woods like maple as oil yellows too much. On darker woods I really like it.

Darryl Keil
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