Beginner question on wood finishes for carvings

[Hooked]

What is the best thing to use for putting a finish on carvings? I just finished my deer project (posted pics over in the work in progress thread). I used the spray on spar urethane. What I don't like is the bright shine you get off of it. I would like to use something that is invisible...ya know...protects the wood but changes the appearance as little as possible.

I saw where someone use tongue oil (spelling). What about danish oil? What is generally considered the best to use? Does it depend on the type of wood?

Also, does it make a difference what you use when you have done some woodburning on the carving? I have only finished a couple carvings now, but am currently working on a Greywolf in deep relief on basswood. When I am done carving I plan on woodburning in all the details. Again, what would ya'll suggest?

Thanks for your help,
Chip

[CarverRog]

I like to use Deft spray lacquer on my chip carvings. It dries quick and leaves a nice smooth finish. I use the satin Deft instead of gloss which eliminates the shine. I use that also over my woodburning. The key to sprays is to have thin coats so you don't get runs. Good Luck!

[squbrigg]

Tung Oil is a nice finish, you need to saturate your piece, let soak in for 10 min. then wipe dry. Repeat this treatment three or four times, over three or four days, leaving 24 hours between layers.

You can finish off with a spray sealant, like Deft, or a wax, paste wax or liquid wax. Polishes up real nice.

Bob

[Irish]

Are you asking what finish to use BEFORE you wood burn the details?

If so the answer in NONE!!!! You never want to wood burn through any finish or paint. Wood burning should be done on the clean wood after all of your relief work is complete. Then any painting steps are worked followed by the finishing steps.

Danish oil is a beautiful, easy to use finish that leaves a soft shine to the wood and especially good for decorative carvings. Tung oil is as well and best used on a surface that needs a "harder" finish as on furniture. Both work very well to enhance the wood burned accents.

As for the urethanes and poly finishes you can find them in high gloss, semi gloss and matte finishes. I, however, seldom use any of them whether in brush on or spray as I feel they leave the wood carving with a stark, hard look compared to the softer oils.

Susan

[mdallensr]

I use tung oil or Danish oil on my decorative carvings that get a natural finish. I rub out the last coat of oil finish with #0000 steel wool, which kills the shine, then finish with Bri-Wax past wax. The wax does not leave a hard shine, just a nice luster. For a spray-on finish, satin Deft works very well, and again, no hard shine. Another benefit of Deft is that you can recoat quickly and don't need to sand or rub with #0000 steel wool betweeen coats.

Afer woodburning, it's important to remove the char by gently wire brushing. Otherwise, the char will prevent good adhesion of the finish.
Mike

[Hooked]

Thanks for the replies!

I am referring to the final finish after the woodburning has been done. I used a satin spar urethane spray on the deer and it is still very shiny. Tried to take away some shine with steel wool, but wherever I used the steel wool it looked like it had a greyish film on it. I thought maybe it was just residue from the steel wool and tried to clean it off with no luck. So sprayed on another coat. The greyish tint went away, but the shine was back.

The deer project was on Mahogany. It darkened up quite a bit when I put the finish on. It looks good just to shiny. The glare from the shine takes away from the carving some in my opinion.

I went to a KC Woodcarvers show and didn't notice this on carving I saw there. Also noticed the supply shop that had a booth set up was selling butchers block oil, so wondered if that was the best stuff.

[wacky1]

Hi still in the progress of finishing my On Eagle wings.
Tung oil seems the best so far. Have you tried mixing a little oil paint in linseed oil, the color can be quit nice. Haven't tried mixing with Tung oil, maybe it would work better. Finding the linseed is a little gummy in spots.
Plan on waxing when finish.
Canadian artists and art resource directory. Visual arts from a Canadian perspective - Artists In Canada.

[Alan P Oliver]

As you've applied finish this may help. To dull gloss level use wire wool 0000 and clear wax. Apply a little wax as otherwise too much of it will make finish tacky! Next time use sanding sealer and then wire wool and wax. It's v. important you have a good quality w.wool. Cheaper ones may have oil residue and the wool may have some coarser strands within. Over here I use Liberon w. wool. Hope it helps! Good Luck