Finishing advice needed

[myxpykalix]

I cut this out of oak and needed some finishing advice. I need to do some sanding and cleaning up some detail but what i wanted to do was use something to bring out some of the detail on the man and also something to accentuate the text.

I usually go to gel stain but it has the consistency of mud and i'd like to have a thin coat of either some kind of stain to accentuate then be able to put a coat of polyurethane to make it glossy and smooth looking.:confused:

be as specific as you can with brands, ect so i know what to go get:D

[dmidkiff]

Jack

Stain (light color), Clear Coat, Sand, Glaze or Gel-stain, Clear Coat

Clear Coat, Sand, Glaze or Gel-stain, Clear Coat

Either way will work. Glaze that I use is made by Mohawk and comes in aerosol so is very easy. Shake, spray and wipe. Repeat until satisfied.
You can repeat with or without the clear coat but the new glaze will soften the old, so watch out for that. I get it from a paint store.

I don't use gel-stain but think it would work if applied with q-tip.

Hope this helps.

[steve_g]

Jack:
If you want to minimize the wood grain, you could shellac and then use a colored wax (Briwax). Wipe off the surface ... you can use a light pass with a torch or hair dryer to get the wax to flow into the bottoms of the cuts.

One disadvantage of this method is the wax dries slowly perhaps several days, before you can top coat with anything else.

Attached image was finished this way

Steve

[cowboy1296]

i am adding my input only so i can read the updates.

[cowboy1296]

i think that this is red oak? all i did was wipe it down with linseed oil and then some type of clear coat on it.

[myxpykalix]

Thats kind of what i'm looking for...

Does the brand "some type" come in a spray can?:rolleyes: lol...

I don't think i've used linseed oil (or i don't remember anyway) but don't they call that "Boiled Linseed oil"?
The linseed oil, is that come is different colors or is that a clear coat?
Did you have to apply linseed oil, let dry, then sand? if so with what grit?

I use a sanding mop what do you use? I like the smooth and glossy finish, that is what i want.

[cowboy1296]

yes it is boiled linseed oil. you can get it an any hardware store. its an amber oil. i was shocked to see how it popped the grain out in that oak. wipe it-brush it does not matter. let it sit for a few minutes and then wipe off the excess and let-r-dry. the v carve i am finishing now i fine sanded, added the linseed oil, i guess if it felt rough i might consider a light sanding only, but this one feels fine.

not sure if you are familiar with beetle-kill pine. but here is a piece i did, after the linseed oil i just finished it in tung oil. it ehhances the bluing in the wood.

[myxpykalix]

I had some wormy walnut and some maple and i like the effect on maple where it makes a bluish trail around the hole and that blue has a black ring around it.:D

[t_vandemark]

Rick, do you paint the carved areas first? If you do, did the oil penitrate your paint and cause it to streak as you apply the oil?

[cowboy1296]

I have painted in the past but have changed to gel stain for the graphics. but prior to staining the graphics i put two thin coats of sanding sealer on the board and graphics. the way i use the gel stain, it looks more like i painted them. since i am not a painter, then i have to come back and sand off the excess stain, the sealer helps with bleeding. so far i have had no problems with the oil getting on the stain nor do i THINK that it would hurt paint. sometimes after the board is showing signs of the oil drying i have to turn the board upside down to let the excess oil pour out of the graphics for a few minutes and flip it back over for i last wiping of the excess oil.

hopefully that made sense, i feel like i have been rambling.

but i am still a rookie so what do i know, but for me it has been working.

[myxpykalix]

Because my eyesight is not good enough even with a magnifying glass to read the can, can you tell me the drying time for boiled linseed oil?

I am somewhat disappointed with the boiled linseed oil to bring out details. After it dries can i put some gel stain over it?
Then what about some gloss polyurethane?

[cowboy1296]

i just read my can with my magnifying glasses. i dont see a drying time on it. its an oil so i dont see a problem with adding tungoil or poly to it. having said that i am still a rookie and have been known to make mistakes but i have added the above items with no ill effects yet. now if the oil is not dark enough for you, second coats can be added. typicaly i give it 24 hours to dry but you should be able to feel and see if it has dried.

this is still a work in progress for a local tea party member. i have wiped it down with the oil. 24 hours later i was applying a poly spray which is not shown in the picture. but its working fine.

[myxpykalix]

"this is still a work in progress for a local tea party member"

I like your sign, and the sentiment behind it...:D

[cowboy1296]

although this is for someone else i am a tea bagger and a half. at a Christmas party this past weekend one of my neighbors proudly claimed that they were a republican. i past on my condolences and let them know that i was a conservative. i think it threw her for a moment.

[bleeth]

Great little sign and a great sentiment applying to all Americans, regardless of party. Certainly the signers of the original came from all over the political map but managed to agree on that and the rest of the original document.