Huon picture frame finish

[tony_A]

Have made a huon pine picture frame and want a finish that will give a lustrous look and not darken the wood significantly. I was thinking of using with traditional wax. Does anyone have experience with waxes on huon and do the natural oils in the timber cause a problem. A second option would be the evolution hardwax oil but have not heard of any results of this product on huon. Have read in old posts that Neil's favourite finish for huon is white shellac and he recommended not to use shellawax. I don't like poly based products and will steer clear of oils as most darken the wood.
Any comments and experiences appreciated.

Tony

[tomartomau]

I dont have a vast experience using Huon, but what I have used is a non pugment tung based oil.
It would be interesting if a wax could be applied in lieu of an oil but im not sure about that

[ubeaut]

White Shellac base or our Sanding Sealer couple of coats then Traditional Wax.

The Shellac won't change the colour any more than wetting the huon down with water or metho. Same with the Sanding Sealer and Traditional Wax.

Best to wash the surface of houn down with metho prior to applying any polish. This will de-oil and dry the surface to allow it to take the finish.

Bear in mind that Huon will darken naturally over time to a deep honey colour no matter what you apply to it.

Hope this is of some help.

Cheers - Neil

[tony_A]

Thanks Neil, appreciate the comments. Do you know how a wax finish works on huon.

Tony

[ubeaut]

Straight onto raw timber it's somewhere between alright to a bit ordinary. Big problem is the natural oil in the Huon wich won't let waxes fully cure and may even soften hard waxes 12 mths or more after application. so everytime someone touches the froam it may appear to be sticky and leave finger marks.

Many moons ago (around 1996) I carved 3 large Victorian Coats of arms for the Supreme Courts - Courts of Appeal in Melb.

They were Huon and finished with a couple of base coats of Sanding Sealer and then with a couple of coats of out Traditional Wax buffed to a bright sheen. As far as I know they still have the same beautiful sheen on them as when they were made and that will be because of the sanding sealer base.

Sorry... Not the best of pics.
Coat of arms.jpg
Can also be seen in the high court scene behind
the judges in the iconic Aussie movie, The Castle.

[tony_A]

Thanks Neil, understand what your saying.

Tony