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From: snafu@ihuxi.UUCP (Dave Wallis)
Newsgroups: net.rec.wood
Subject: Re: Wood Finishes
Message-ID: <610@ihuxi.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 24-Oct-83 15:51:23 EDT
Article-I.D.: ihuxi.610
Posted: Mon Oct 24 15:51:23 1983
Date-Received: Tue, 25-Oct-83 23:25:34 EDT
References: <2375@ncsu.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Western Electric, Naperville Il.
Lines: 41

I have been involved with wood working since I was about 9 years old
(now 23) and this is what I have found:

1) Oil finish is the choice for fine work (black walnut jewelry box
etc.) but is not very practical for furniture. Wood needs to be re-oiled
occaisonally if the wood is subject to wear or lots of washings, and
it doesn't provide protection from wear or scratches. Oil finish does
not really dry (like varnish) but is absorbed into the wood.
The oil I generally use is simply boiled linseed oil, thinned for the
first application, full strength for any subsequent coats. I just pour
the oil directly on the wood and rub it in with my hand until the wood
absorbs as much as it will.

2) Deft (trademark of somebody, probably) is a very good choice for
furniture. It is very easy to apply, drys quickly, and provides a
durable finish. As far as I can tell, it is very similar to varnish,
but somewhat easier to apply. Deft is usually a bit more expensive
than varnish, but its ease of application and consistent results make
it my choice.

3) I generally use varnish, because Deft is not available loaclly (at
I can't find it - local is the Chicago area). I have used every thing
from premium quality spar varnish to some really cheapies, and I have
not noticed much difference. I recently finished a bookshelf with "Mr.
Thinzit" exterior gloss varnish, and found it to be a good varnish
that was easy to apply. The exterior varnish is resistant to water and
most other things you are likely to spill on a table, and the finish
is hard enough to resist scratches and chips.

4) I have used lacquer on occaision, but it is difficult to apply and
does not generally wear as well as varnish or Deft. It is difficult to
get a good finish with a brush - a better quality finish requires
spraying many thinned coats with a good paint sprayer. A well applyed
lacquer finish is very pretty however, and can show off pretty wood
grain a little better than varnish.
-- 


                  D. Wallis  (insert snappy signature here)
                   AT&T Western Electric, Naperville Il.
                             (312) 979-5894