Chuck Melton Posted August 29, 2013 Report Share Posted August 29, 2013 I am pretty new to finishing, so please forgive my utter lack of products and techniques. I was feeling guilty from not touching anything in my burgeoning woodshop since spring and decided to take a chunk of 8/4 walnut and make an ipad stand. I sanded it down to 400grit and rubbed in boiled linseed oil, and I honestly love the way it looks and feels now. I thought about finishing it with some paste wax, but I think I want more protection on it. I was thinking about putting on some Arm-R-Seal wiping varnish but I wasn't sure what luster I should go with. Anyone have an opinion on keeping the look as close to what it is currently with some added protection? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Llama Posted August 29, 2013 Report Share Posted August 29, 2013 How many coats of BLO did you apply? I am a fan of using wax over BLO. I like the way it looks, and it's easy to add more later For what its worth, I use the Briwax brand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Melton Posted August 29, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 29, 2013 I did two coats with and extra 400 grit sanding in between. Wax was my first intention then I started thinking that I might be a little rough on the thing. I also only had Johnson's paste wax on hand, which is what I use for my TS. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bgreenb Posted August 29, 2013 Report Share Posted August 29, 2013 My vote would also be for wax. I did wax over BLO on my wife's walnut jewelry box and it came out great. Apply the wax with a clean cloth and buff it out with a lambswool pad. I use this stuff: http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=5345&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=&utm_content=pla&utm_campaign=PLA&gclid=CMe5mOG4obkCFYWe4AodMwkAhg I wouldn't do the Arm R Seal - it's not like it will take a ton of abuse, and a thick film finish might look funny on something that small. Just my two cents. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Llama Posted August 29, 2013 Report Share Posted August 29, 2013 If you decide to go with the finish you mentioned, I would use the satin or the semi-gloss sheen. To me, gloss finished projects look odd. As a bonus, you can wax over the General finish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Melton Posted August 29, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 29, 2013 Mel, Thanks for sending me the photo of your mahogany table. I do love the warmth of the finish you have on there. It's sounding like I might go with wax route, I was just worried about how much I am going to be using the stand (I'm a software developer and do a lot of work with the iPad, so it's probably in and out 6-8 times a day.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Melton Posted August 29, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 29, 2013 Also, thanks for not pointing out my planer marks/burns on the wood. I thought I had sanded it all off until the BLO brought it out. Live and learn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Llama Posted August 29, 2013 Report Share Posted August 29, 2013 Also, thanks for not pointing out my planer marks/burns on the wood. I thought I had sanded it all off until the BLO brought it out. Live and learn. Just do the same for me I really do believe the wax will be ok. If you get a scratch in it, just add some wax Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paolo Sturaro Posted August 29, 2013 Report Share Posted August 29, 2013 Microcrystalline wax should be harder than regular wax once cured. You can try that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grain Guy Posted August 29, 2013 Report Share Posted August 29, 2013 +1 wax, perfect for this application. I apply my wax with oooo steel wool. I keep a piece of wool in the can. Buff off with clean cloth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mds2 Posted August 29, 2013 Report Share Posted August 29, 2013 My usual finish is BLO, then shellac, then wax. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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