Are there actually any genuine studys on finishing out there ?

[JDarvall]

Uno how grey an area finishing your work is.....with there being such huge range of options and jargon.

Has anyone ever done a practical accurate long term study on the durability of varing finishes available to us....eg. ....same wood samples being coated with different finishes then being exposed to the elements over many years. indoor and outdoor, different timber types etc.

Because a quantified table of these results would be vary handy to me in determining what finish I should use. Something similar to say a study by fine woodworking magizine article I once saw on joints and glue types. It described numerically the improvements.

so, I can determine just how much better a certain finish is. Because I wouldn't be surprised there are many truths buried under the jargon .

A quantified table for instance would help us work out which finishes are really only mildly better but cost significantly more etc.

Or is there just too many variables to make such a study possible. ?

thanks

Jake

[munruben]

I would imagine something like that would have to have taken place somewhere. I remember in Sydney many years ago I had reason to deal with a paint company called Davisons Paints and at their factory they had an area outside with samples of their paints on different surfaces and exposed to the weathers. I remember no-one was allowed to touch these samples because of the reaction to the body fat on your fingers and hand. Each sample had the date showing on a plaque below it.
I wonder if a similar things has been done with various timber finishes.

[underfoot]

Has anyone ever done a practical accurate long term study on the durability of varing finishes available to us
Jake
Nope..not here Jake...
However, I could provide 20 years of innacurate anecdotal evidence on the finishes that I've used...if that helps.....:rolleyes:

[Claw Hama]

Do you have a specific project you want to protect Jake? Narrow the search a little to start with.
Our very own Neil should be able to help you.

[RETIRED]

You mean like this Jake?

Australian Paint Approval Scheme (APAS) (http://www.apas.gov.au/SpecList.asp)

[JDarvall]

just thinking a timelime type table be interesting.........a list of finish types down one column... eg. danish oil, wax, shellac...different combos etc......then next columns as a time line showing little pictures of the samples (not asking too much am I) showing how the finishes deteriorate...

Spose my biggest concern at the moment, which has brought all this on, is for my love of straight wax on finishes. Apparently, according to some its not good enough. something should go under wax first. But yet to have any problems.

[Claw Hama]

Jake its been used for thousands of years and as long as you give it another coat every blue moon it shouldn't be a problem (indoors). Rings from cups are the only major draw back I know off. I love it but don't use it only because all my work is sold and I don't want the ring issue with customers so I use Sam Maloufs Danish oil mix (indoors and out).

[mic-d]

Hi Jake, Understanding Wood Finishing by Bob Flexner is the BEST book on finishing I have ever read. He explains finishing and finishes in a scientific manner but easily understood by anyone. He goes into detail about finish durability. I highly recommend it.

Cheers
Michael

[JDarvall]

thanks all.

Will give that book a look Mic. Ta.