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  1. #1
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Location
    Turramurra
    Posts
    27

    Default Jarrah finish for indoors - some advice please

    Hi again folks,

    thank you for your help on an earlier finishing matter. Now I have a new one as I try to climb the learning curve.

    I'm just completing a Jarrah lamp stand (see Aust Woodsmith no. 27) and wonder how best to treat it to achieve a low gloss deep Jarrah finish. Of course I'm not interested in staining, but want it to be protected and natural (that's the best way I can think of to describe what I'm trying to achieve!).

    Any help will be greatly appreciated.

    Cheers,
    Dave E (Sydney)

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    perth
    Age
    79
    Posts
    0

    Default Jarrah finishing

    I've found that some finishes give jarrah a dull, lifeless appearance.

    But I've found a way to give it a warm, rich lustre for which this timber is famed.

    What I do after fine sanding is to use a cabinet scraper or fine steel wool for that extra smooth surface.

    Then I coat the job with sanding sealer. Jarrah has coarse pores and the sealer fills these admirably. Another going over with the steel wool and we're ready to start the final coating.

    You'll need some polyurethane varnish and some lint-free cloth. I use Chux wipes from the kitchen.

    Take one piece of cloth and dip a corner of it in the varnish and allow it to dry until it becomes tacky to the touch. Then use it to wipe down the job. This picks up all the sanding dust and gritty bits. Then look at the tack rag. The amount of gunk gathered will pass all belief.

    Use a fresh piece of cloth to apply a coat of varnish. Don't use a paint brush because the varnish tends to gather in globules on the job.

    Observe the drying times on the label.

    Then another rendering with the steel wool, another clean up with the tack rag and another wiped on coat of varnish.

    By now your jarrah will show colours and have a richness that you will like very much.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Location
    Turramurra
    Posts
    27

    Default

    Hi Kevin,

    wow - sounds exciting. It also sounds like a lot of work, especially on this project which has a gazallion small parts to it. Hmmm - I wonder what's planned for this Sat?

    Again many thanks - I'm gradually coming around to the whole finishing part of a project being as exciting as the initial build. Otherwise I'm going to have a garage full of almost complete projects!

    Cheers,
    David

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    Newtown Geelong
    Posts
    0

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by deldridg View Post
    Hi Kevin,

    wow - sounds exciting. It also sounds like a lot of work, especially on this project which has a gazallion small parts to it. Hmmm - I wonder what's planned for this Sat?

    Again many thanks - I'm gradually coming around to the whole finishing part of a project being as exciting as the initial build. Otherwise I'm going to have a garage full of almost complete projects!

    Cheers,
    David
    We want pics
    Back To Car Building & All The Sawdust.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Oct 2005
    Location
    Yass
    Age
    65
    Posts
    0

    Default

    I've had quite good success using Minwax Wipe on Poly on jarrah. Follow the directions. Put on four coats - amazing the imrovement between coats 3 and 4.

    You can leave it at that. If you want more shine, use 0000 steel wool to apply a coat of wax (buff off), then another coat or two of wax applied with a soft cloth (and buff off).

    Whatever you do, I strongly suggest finishing an offcut piece first to make sure it's what you're after.

    Tex

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Nov 2003
    Location
    Sydney
    Age
    54
    Posts
    891

    Default

    What Tex said.

    I suggest 1 coat of sealer, 2 coats of Satin wipe-on poly and polish it with a coat of wax.
    Visit my website at www.myFineWoodWork.com

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    0

    Default

    One of my favourite woods.
    I like to use a sanding sealer by brush - to seal the grain.
    Then I shellac by brush and rub down with 0000 steel wool. I repeat this two or three times and then finish with Liberon Black Bison clear wax rubbed in initially with 0000 steel wool and then by cloth. The beauty of this finish is that it can always be repeated again in years to come. It gives a lovely, natural and soft finish.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    perth wa
    Age
    71
    Posts
    70

    Default

    Hi kevin all of the above , thought i would throw another one in , Sand to 340 with radom orbital sander , two coats feast and watson proofseal sanding between coats, finshing off with feast and watson fine buffing oil two coats will give a beautifull sheen , rub in the buffing oil with a green synthetic pad . Easy to repair , maintain with feast and watson floor and furniture polish . It does not darken the timber and brings out the grain , always try on a piece of scrap first to see if you like .

    paul , k

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    perth
    Age
    79
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    0

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Pete L View Post
    One of my favourite woods.
    I like to use a sanding sealer by brush - to seal the grain.
    Then I shellac by brush and rub down with 0000 steel wool. I repeat this two or three times and then finish with Liberon Black Bison clear wax rubbed in initially with 0000 steel wool and then by cloth. The beauty of this finish is that it can always be repeated again in years to come. It gives a lovely, natural and soft finish.
    Hi Pete,

    I am interested in what you are saying.

    What shellac do you use? I mean do you buy flakes and mix with meths? Do you use a mix you buy off a hardware merchant's shelf?

    And where do you buy Liberon Black Bison wax?

    I'd like to try your method on some jarrah I have on hand because I have a project in jarrah planned for next year.

    Regards,

    Kevin.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    perth
    Age
    79
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    0

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by paul k View Post
    Hi kevin all of the above , thought i would throw another one in , Sand to 340 with radom orbital sander , two coats feast and watson proofseal sanding between coats, finshing off with feast and watson fine buffing oil two coats will give a beautifull sheen , rub in the buffing oil with a green synthetic pad . Easy to repair , maintain with feast and watson floor and furniture polish . It does not darken the timber and brings out the grain , always try on a piece of scrap first to see if you like .

    paul , k
    Hi Paul,

    I am interested in your method. Our local Bunnings has metres of Feast and Watson products displayed so I reckon they'll have the items you recommend.

    One question though, you say ' rub in the buffing oil with a green synthetic pad'.

    Paul, what is a green synthetic pad?

    I'm anxious to have my work in jarrah finished to a high standard and I intend using your method on a piece of flat material to see if it's the way to go.

    Regards,

    Kevin.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    perth
    Age
    79
    Posts
    0

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Wongo View Post
    What Tex said.

    I suggest 1 coat of sealer, 2 coats of Satin wipe-on poly and polish it with a coat of wax.
    Thanks Tex,

    I never thought about putting wax on polyurethane.

    As you can see, some people have come up with some good ideas on jarrah finishing and I have printed them off so I can try each of them.

    Thanks again for your interest Tex.

    Regards,

    KevinB

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    perth wa
    Age
    71
    Posts
    70

    Default

    Hi kevin , synthetic pads are nylon pads and they come in differant grades , course through to fine , the colours range from green to white as far as i know . The green ones that i purchase are very similar to the green scouring pads you buy at woolworthes , Its a habit i have got into with any oils regardless of it being sealed or not sealed timber , burnishing the oil in using friction it works for me . You will have to let us know how it all goes and maybe some pics

    cheers

    paul ,k

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    0

    Default

    Kevin,

    I like Rustins sanding sealer but it is difficult to obtain so more recently I have used U-Beaut. It works well. I use a ready made shellac, again U-Beaut. You should be able to purchase in Perth or see the sponsor site above this thread.

    Liberon Black Bison Paste Wax Clear is a UK product. I used to be able to purchase in Melbourne and now I can't. I have found it again and purchased recently from The Wood Works Book and Tool Co in Sydney. It is their item number C7140. Look it up at www.thewoodworks.com.au

    Liberon has a great smell, dries quite hard in 30 minutes or less and it is a very easy application. Despite the name it is a light yellowish colour. I don't do much wood turning and I find that this wax is easy to apply to flat surfaces and does not rely on friction.

    Peter
    Last edited by Pete L; 11th August 2009 at 09:31 PM. Reason: Incorrect spelling recipient name

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