finish for jewellery boxes

[gilljc]

wondering what is the best type of finish for boxes? in the past have used spray lacquer but have just finished two boxes in elm and done one just in wax - really like the finish but just wondering if that is a normal finish to use? I find that any oils and even sanding sealer all seem to darken the wood and I want to stay as true as possible

 

[marcros]

i would use a blonde shellac. the stuff I have is virtually colouless and was from dictum in germany. I would recommend sealing with something prior to waxing- i have never used a cellulose or acrylic sanding sealer but they should be colourless, or alternatively a very thin cut of the shellac. Otherwise the wax just keeps being absorbed and it is a never- ending task.

If you are going to do a few items in the future, it is worth investing in a decent polishing mop (brush).

If you want a bit of shellac flake to try, let me know and i will send you enough for a box or two. you just need to add meths, or isopropyl alcohol and let it dissolve over a day or so. I may even have a bit mixed up, in which case i could send that if i find a suitable coke bottle.

I am sure that other finishes are suitable- i like shellac because there are no nasty fumes, it cleans off hands quickly, and has a bit of an "old masters" feel about it in the days of ac laquers and spraying things! It is also versatile and can be used as a sanding sealer, general sealer, finish, is tint-able, compatible with a lot of other finishes, available in a range of colours from virtually colourless to pianoblack etc etc.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Anything you use will change the colour to a degree, I wouldn't have thought sanding sealer would darken anything too much. If you use wax, use microcrystalline on things that will be handled - it's more expensive but it doesn't mark anything like so easily. I loved those swallows, =D> I don't normally like inlay much - but I shall have a go at one like that sometime.

 

[gilljc]

Thank you that is kind - what is microcrystalline wax, where do I get that, you are right sanding sealer is the least troublesome, spray lacquer not too bad either but can get it too thick if not careful and lose the lovely effect of the wood

 

[Phil Pascoe]

You might have a problem where you are (though you shouldn't have), but it's easily obtainable on line. "Renaissance" is the well known one but I use the Chestnut one - there are others. It's about £10 a 225ml - so don't be surprised. In the long term it probably works out no dearer as the job doesn't need to be done so often.

 

[gilljc]

Thanks again, will try Grampian power tools in Aberdeen first, they used to sell a lot of lathes and used to stock turning blanks, though they seem to have run that side of thing s down. They still stock a lot of different finishes so are my best shot in Aberdeen - failing that will get it online