finishing fretwork scrolling

[Sam777]

Hello all,

Happy new year to the forum members

Please help

I made a couple of 3/4 walnut text pieces and would like to them in liquid finish to get into all the cuts and corners and dry quickly.

What can I use?

Thank you in advance

[BadBob]

Shellac works pretty well if you thin it. Thin the caned shellac with an equal part of denatured alcohol. Dip it and let it soak for a short time, then wipe off the excess. I sometimes have to blow it out of sharp corners.

 

 

[Dan]

I've thinned polyurethane be with mineral spirits (50/50) and it dries fast, but not as fast as shellac. What ever you use, be sure to wipe down all the drips before the start setting up.

[Roberta Moreton]

I use Natural Danish Oil. Dip, let drip a little while, wipe, and done. 

[GreggA]

On 1/4/2025 at 4:22 PM, Roberta Moreton said:

I use Natural Danish Oil. Dip, let drip a little while, wipe, and done. 

Do you put anything else on top of it, for a gloss finish or just the danish oil?

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

I too am a dipper in Danish oil. I love Watco Danish oil. I sand all my projects to 220 grit. Then dip and drain and wipe. Let dry for a few days. The small amount of poly in the Danish oil will give a nice warm glow and feel to the piece. Now on occasions like with shelves I will put a light coat of Watco liquid wax on them. Have to be careful not to get into fret work because you will not be able to wipe it out and it could clump. I just put small amount on a soft cotton cloth if I do this.  But most times not needed.  

[Dan]

When I dip ornaments I dip and hang them for about 15 minutes, then wipe off the access. I use compressed air set to about 15 psi to blow drips from the crevasses and give them one more wipe down and hang them to dry. This works for most oils.

[BadBob]

14 hours ago, Dan said:

I use compressed air set to about 15 psi to blow drips from the crevasses and give them one more wipe down and hang them to dry.

I have a battery-powered handheld blower that I use for this.

[Roberta Moreton]

On 1/26/2025 at 12:19 PM, GreggA said:

Do you put anything else on top of it, for a gloss finish or just the danish oil?

No, nothing else. I have dipped a second time to see if it made a difference.  The difference was small. A little more shine and color. 

[rash_powder]

I like to use boiled linseed oil thinned about 50% with mineral spirits.  I feel it gives the ornaments I make (mostly from Poplar) a vintage look.  They darken a little with time and light exposure, but I like that antique appearance.