Finishing opinon please

[nrscroller]

Hi

I was wondering what everyones opinions are for a low odor finish I can dip my small 1/8 inch bb plywood ornaments in

I see posts for 

50/50 low odor mineral spirits and mineral oil

50/50 BLO and mineral spirits.

Which is going to give me less of a yellow look and not shiny

Also can I just use either without  having to seal them?? KInda hard in a basement to keep smelldown.

thanks

Bill

Edited November 8, 2013 by nrscroller

[Dan]

Hey Bill, I don't think mineral oil will dry, but I may be wrong. I know when I used it on cutting boards the rags never seem to dry. BLO/mineral spirits will yellow the BB ply slightly. You could thin some polyurethane. It's low odor and may even dry faster than BLO. 

[Travis]

Oil won't make it shiny.  It'll only accentuate the grain.  It will also yellow it a bit.  

 

I personally like using Lemon Oil.  You find it in the grocery store in the dusting supplies area.  I just pour it into a tupperware, dunk the project, wipe off excess, and let it dry on some old cardboard.

 

To give it a glossy, or protective finish, look for a clear acrylic spray.  I find these have much less odor than others.  I also find that if I spray them when the wife and kids are out of the house, I hear far fewer complaints.  

[PawPawRay]

I agree with Travis.  I use lemon oil all the time. Nice smell as well as good looks.

[heppnerguy]

I am still experimenting with my finishing. I have tried many things but I have yet to really fund one that satisfies me and gives me what I want to achieve. I use lemon oil for most of my scroll items but find a lot of people prefer a high gloss on my intarsia pieces and that only comes out to my satisfaction, once in awhile. I just keep struggling.

 

Dick

heppnerguy

[Phantom Scroller]

And me I get high on lemon oil, love it. It's so easy to do and if your worried about it seeping out on your table cloth a bit of spray lacquer when dry should do the trick.

 

Roly

[Ron Johnson]

Finishing:

The only finish I use on all my projects is polyurethane which is low odor and available in semi gloss. I apply three to four thin coats sanding in between each one. Then I complete each with carpenters wax. Amazing how the richness of the wood grain comes alive especially in the exotic hardwood.

[Barry5180]

I'm with Ron. I use spray on poly for fretwork and wipe on poly for solid projects. A bunch of light coats, sanding between each usually does the trick.

 

Barry

[amazingkevin]

i've never wanted none gloss on my projects so i am learning here in this post especially from our newest RON,thank You Ron,For my gloss projects i use siliconeized acrylicpoly something at $25 a gallon .drys in minutes ,but you got to be quick