which finish for ironbark

[chris casey]

The ironbark built-in book case is almost finished and now we need to work out which finish would best bring out the beautiful colours in the wood. Any ideas?

[JohnnoM]

Chris,
I finished an ironbark top on a small shaker side table a few months ago with Organoil hard burnishing oil. Wonderful depth to the color, just a magic finish. Granted HBO is not a 2 pack heavy duty poly drive your car over it type finish, but the warmth of iron bark under oil is just so nice.
Down side...everybody just wants to run their hand over the top to feel the silky finish & it ends up with the usual marks from coffee cups & so on. I actually like to build furniture that gets used and looks like it has been well loved, so HBO gets a tick from me. Easy to bring back to show room condition every now & then.

[chris casey]

thanks for the reply. His nibs who is building the bookcase wants a high gloss finish.She who actually does the finishing, wants a softer look. Which look does the Organoil give?

[JohnnoM]

Orgnoil HBO is a soft lustre satin finish, that in truth might not be suitable for bookcase shelves. If the bookcase is a high use unit then a high wear finish on the shelves might be best (Something like a floor finish) and oil on the case work to highlight the timber. I dont mind mixing up the finish on a project, I'll usually shelac the legs & rails of a table & HBO the top. If the shelves are not a display area, then a straight gloss floor finish there might do the job. You could even cut the gloss & pop a bit of wax on to soften the feel & maintain the hardwearing a book shelf will cop.

[chris casey]

Thank you, Johnno. You have been a great help.