Century old WA Jarrah how to finish

[Brian45]

Hi,

Seeking some advise - our men shed has received a large quantity of WA Jarrah. The piece we are working on is a disc and we are looking to finish in a gloss. What would you recommend to achieve a high gloss finish including sealers.

We also have noticed some hair line cracks appearing and I indicated we need to leave it sit in the shed for a few weeks. I was considering filling the cracks with araldite using a syringe and sand up to 220 via the grades. The other train of thought is epoxy to fill the cracks. This of course is in a few weeks.

If the photo has not attached will try and sort that out.

Thanks in advance.

[BobL]

I would not use Araldite in the cracks as it does not usually sand all that well. Epoxy is much better.

Seeing as it's cracking, in this weather I would wait for more than a few weeks for it to stabilise before filling the cracks.
Longer is better but at a minimum I'd suggest 4-6 weeks.

[derekcohen]

As Bob suggested. If cracks remain, mix colour into 5-minute epoxy. I use cement tints.

I would also recommend against a gloss finish. You may as well cover the Jarrah in plastic veneer. Use a matt finish and let the wood be more natural.

Regards from Perth

Derek

[GM2]

Evan Dunstone in Issue 150 Page 34 of Australian Woodsmith gives a great overview of his techniques for finishing his woodwork. I can recommend it - superb oil based finish. PM me for a PDF if of interest. Regards GM2

[rod1949]

So what is the item and its intended use? Given your location this time of year will be a big moisture issue.
On one hand I agree with BobL to use an epoxy filler and there is no need to tint as the epoxy will blend and be un-noticeable in the end. Filling hairline cracks is very difficult requiring a great deal of patience, and then if the crack goes right through the other/underside has to be sealed to stop the epoxy for dripping out leaving a big mess on the floor or what ever, for this I use a foil tape.
On the other hand for hair line cracks I have used a fine syringe to inject the finishing lacquer into the crack until it has built up and remains flush.
And then on the third hand there is the a product Solarez grain sealer filler (a fellow member John has mentioned it on this site), I've brought a couple of pints but haven't used it yet.

[double.d]

Rod949 is on the money, as in what is it being used for?. A gloss finish will scratch as soon as you put something on it and unless its an automotive finish you will never get the scratches out.

You can get a good sheen with oils these days and they are a easy to repair.

[Brian45]

Hi,

Thanks for the comments, the piece is going into government house to hold a ceremonial spear (when finished) and simply placed in a corner, all the other furnishings are in high gloss and I assume they have been French polished. Hence why I was looking at high gloss.

Yep moisture is a big issue, The jarrah (115 - 120 years old) we received was around 300 - 400 lm, mostly 125 x 75 up to 8m lengths, so we have many more projects using this timber so may as well get it sorted now if possible. This timber was in a roof and now is in our yard under metal roof sheeting. Currently, we are trying a few things with the cracks in sample pieces to see what works.

What about using the epoxy in the cracks then a filler once cracks are filled and finish with a clear glass coat resin finish and polish?

Can check for a oil and see how it turns out as well. Any suggestion on which oil to use. I agree oils is easier to repair with less issues.

Regards
Brian

[Brian45]

Hi,

Where can I buy Solarez in Australia?

Thanks
Brian

[rod1949]

I did a few jobs for the Administrator of the NT as well as for the NT Government (Paul Everingham Chief Minister), worked for what then the Conservation Commission on Berrimah Farm. Two of the jobs were conference tables, one for the new government and one went to Canberra. Both were made from Raintree and both were finished with the high gloss two pack estapol 7008 and sprayed on. The workshop had no special spraying facility thus my biggest issue was trying to control the dust whilst the estapol dried. It was around 15 coats before a satisfactory finish was achieved.
Since then I've done a lot of finishes with normal estapols but one spec of dust can be annoying.

[rod1949]

Hi,

Where can I buy Solarez in Australia?

Thanks
Brian

ebay

[Brian45]

I did a few jobs for the Administrator of the NT as well as for the NT Government (Paul Everingham Chief Minister), worked for what then the Conservation Commission on Berrimah Farm. Two of the jobs were conference tables, one for the new government and one went to Canberra. Both were made from Raintree and both were finished with the high gloss two pack estapol 7008 and sprayed on. The workshop had no special spraying facility thus my biggest issue was trying to control the dust whilst the estapol dried. It was around 15 coats before a satisfactory finish was achieved.
Since then I've done a lot of finishes with normal estapols but one spec of dust can be annoying.

Dust and humidity is not our friend here as you would be well aware. Finding a dust free environment will be interesting, will give it a shot on a sample board first, thanks for the help.