plinmaine Posted July 19, 2016 Report Share Posted July 19, 2016 I'm just beginning to mix my own finish and could use help from some veterans on preference: I've been using Watco's natural danish oil and like it fine, but not the price if I can make it better myself. I also feel like there's *something* missing from it. Subtle, and not sure how to explain it yet. My first stab was the following: 1/3 Kleen Strip BLO 1/3 Minwax Helmsman spar urethane (gloss, as Fortner said the matte was just unneeded additives) 1/3 Kleen Strip green mineral spirits. (the white plastic container with the green lettering) Here's the weirdness: the mixture is GREEN. Weird vomit green, although tested on some scrap it looks just like Watco. The mineral spirits looks like it has white particulate in it that when shaken, dissolves into the solution, but when I let the jar sit overnight, there is a clear liquid on the bottom, some solids, and a murky liquid above. Any help? Really, any feedback is GREATLY appreciated. What is the best quality varnish to use? What is the best choice of mineral spirits? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drzaius Posted July 19, 2016 Report Share Posted July 19, 2016 Welcome to the forums. This comes up every now & then where people want to brew up their own finishes. But I don't see how the average woodworker can come up with a better finish than the big companies with big labs & big R&D budgets. I think your time would be better spent doing test boards of various over the counter finishes & see what works best for you. Sorry, I don't have any answers to your questions. Others may be able to help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted July 19, 2016 Report Share Posted July 19, 2016 Look for 'oderless mineral spirits'. That green stuff is something else all together. Supposed to be friendly to the environment, I guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted July 19, 2016 Report Share Posted July 19, 2016 Don't use the "green stuff " with finishes, just for cleanup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plinmaine Posted July 19, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 19, 2016 Thanks guys. if not the "green stuff"... any personal recommendations? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted July 19, 2016 Report Share Posted July 19, 2016 The high dollar non Eco freindly stuff is what you want, thus trying to make your own isn't as cheap as you thought . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krtwood Posted July 19, 2016 Report Share Posted July 19, 2016 12 minutes ago, wdwerker said: Don't use the "green stuff " with finishes, just for cleanup. Yes, except don't use it for cleanup either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted July 19, 2016 Report Share Posted July 19, 2016 Yea there is that too. I use mostly water bourne finishes and my clean up comes from the tap ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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