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From: hazard@ihuxe.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.rec.wood
Subject: My favorite wood finish
Message-ID: <394@ihuxe.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 24-Oct-83 15:05:13 EDT
Article-I.D.: ihuxe.394
Posted: Mon Oct 24 15:05:13 1983
Date-Received: Wed, 26-Oct-83 00:41:20 EDT
Organization: AT&T Bell Labs, Naperville, Il
Lines: 27

Ahh... wood finishing.

When it comes to finishing all my projects, (there are a lot that
never  get  completed,  let  alone finished) I have fallen into a
rut.  I always use Watco stains and oils. Their stains  are  easy
to use and give a pleasing color, and their oil produces a finish
I really like.
    The oil usually takes about  6  applications;  about  2  days
apart.   Starting  with  the  third application I use emery paper
with the oil to smooth any raised grain. I always apply  the  oil
(and  the  stain  for  that  matter) with a small piece of cloth.
After coating the whole piece, I follow-up with  a  dry  rag  and
remove  the  excess oil.  Each application uses less oil and more
rubbing. After the final coat has dried and been buffed  I  apply
Watco wax, which is 99% cannubura(sp?).
    Six months later I usually go over  the  piece  with  another
light  coat of oil. It takes about a year (two more applications)
for the oil finish to hold it's  own  without  needing  any  more
applications.
   Besides liking the final results, I am very pleased  with  how
forgiving  oil  is  to the amateur. You can never apply too much,
never have to worry about drips, runs,  hair  or  dust,  and  can
always  re-work  (including  sanding!) parts that didn't come out
right.
   Sure  the  finish   doesn't   look   like   someone   veneered
plexaglass(TM)  to  the  surface,  but I still get a satin finish
that you can see yourself in.