New Scrollwer looking for advice

[Rainman]

I bought a scroll saw about 14 years ago and I am finally able to have the time to do some things with it. I saw a pattern for a scroll saw bowl with overlapping rings. Well the scroll work came out fine, but I am having problems with how to finish it. I made two extra rings, and put a Watco finish on, and that looked good, but I wanted to give it some shine so I used a spray urethane and even though I did the sprays lightly and took plenty of time to let them dry, after three coats there were missed spots, some drips and not what I was looking for. So here I am with about 10 rings, stained, without a finish. Any advice from the group?

 

Ray from Rehoboth, MA

[Ken O]

Ray, welcome to the Village! Finishing has always been a problem for me too. Even after years of this I still get one that turns out weird every once in a while. The biggest thing with fretwork or anything that has holes is to give it a light spray from one direction, let it dry then spray from another direction. If you miss a spot just remember it for next time cause if you try to go back and get it you'll get a run. Just takes patience (that's my biggest problem )and lots of coats. Sometimes one brand of stain doesn't like a different brand of clear. Make sure both are the same brand. Show us what you've been working on.

Ken

[TheWoodArtist]

Some use the dipping technique. I have used this method and still do sometimes, especially on fretwork. It works great but I still always spray clear and use a few coats and use a sandpaper of really fine grit and even use a piece of cheese cloth in between coats of clear.

[Messman]

When ever you spray something, specially something with a lot of "figure" like a scroll saw bowl, you have got to ensure you spray from all sides and angles. You were correct in using light coats and making sure it was dry before spraying again. What I will do, most often, is hang the item from the rafters of my shop so it hangs about eye level (size permitting). I then start spraying it. This helps me ensure that I get every surface covered evenly. Hope this helps you out some.

[Jim Finn]

light coats is good advice. I use "Triple thick clear coat" I get at Walmart. It is a clear, acrylic, gloss, finish.

[Marshall]

I have made a couple of these bowls and soaked them in lemon oil before and applyed several coats of spray Lacquer and it seems it finishes faster with the Lacquer finish .

[amazingkevin]

hi ray,Not my cup of tea to help you there but something else i'd pour out all i could to hel;p yopu all imcould.You'll go fare in the village as we have knolledgeable people from around the world eager to help you all ways we can ,welcome again!