Red gum finishing technique required

[JasonPD]

Hi all, I have just about completed a red gum hall table and am using a laquer, turps and Tung oil mixture to coat my table. I love the finish but would like to just give it a bit of shine rather than it being flat. I have 6 coats of mixture on it that I have applied with a rag. Is there any way I can add a polish or wax or anything I can do to bring a nice glow to my table. Thanks Jason

[LGS]

G'day,

Given what you have already done, you would probably be best to go over it with some UBeaut EEE cream, then a final coat or two of UBeaut Traditional Wax (Neutral). This will give you a smooth lustrous finish.

Regards,

Rob

[JasonPD]

Would it come up ok polishing by hand or would I have to use an orbital polisher or something like it?

[Skew ChiDAMN!!]

"A nice glow" is generally achieved by the total thickness of final coats, whether it's one coat of wax, two coats of a PolyU or twenty coats of oil.

I love a 100% oil finish, but it can be as much - if not more - work to apply than building the item in the first place. It does have the advantage of being easily repaired, unlike PolyU's, etc., and durable. Unlike waxes.

A coat of shellac would be a good alternative to wax, too.

[JasonPD]

In terms of the finish, what's the difference in look between shellac and laquer. I've heard most people stay away from laquer because of a plastic type finish?

[Skew ChiDAMN!!]

lac·quer
ˈlakər/
noun
noun: lacquer; plural noun: lacquers

1.
a liquid made of shellac dissolved in alcohol, or of synthetic substances, that dries to form a hard protective coating for wood, metal, etc.
synonyms: varnish, shellac, gloss, glaze, enamel, finish, polish
"a shiny black lacquer"
British term for hair spray.
noun: hair lacquer; plural noun: hair lacquers
2.
the sap of the lacquer tree used to varnish wood or other materials.
decorative objects made of wood coated with lacquer.
"a small lacquer box"

verb
verb: lacquer; 3rd person present: lacquers; past tense: lacquered; past participle: lacquered; gerund or present participle: lacquering

1.
coat with lacquer.
"choose from brushed or lacquered copper"

Shellac is a lacquer. But many people mean synthetic finishes when they say lacquer, even when it's not technically a lacquer, which often do come across 'plasticky.' Polyurethane is one o' these.

Nitrocellulose lacquer, however, is a synthetic that looks good... and is often used for furniture & musical instruments. It is best applied by spray-gun though, which is why I suggested shellac as a more... home-workshop friendly finish.

[AngelaPetruzzi]

Another take on Shellac. Shellac is a resin secreted by theAsian shellac louse and can be used in lacquers, varnishes and polishes.

Shellac wax is solid and is the result of fermenting raw shellac with alcohol. Because of its hardness, it is used in floor polishes and leather care products.
Skew ChiDAMN
What oil are you using if you need20 coats?....that’s enough to put anyone off.