cat feeder bowl holders

bikergonebald | Posted in General Discussion on August 22, 2020 03:38pm

Hi Guys,

I’m looking for some quick advice on a simple project. I’ve helped my daughter make some walnut blocks with holes routered in them to hold stainless steel cat food and water bowls and now i have to decide how we should finish them. Ideally i want to use a product that i already have which means my options are; OSMO door oil 3060 clear satin, Colron refined teak oil, colron refined beeswax(georgian medium oak), Ronseal diamond hard varnish (satin pearwood), 30% sheen pre-catalyst lacquer (bought for oak doors), automotive spray clear lacquer.

I’ve never worked with Walnut before but i have used the various products on other projects. I would tend to favor the Osmo door oil, teak oil and pre-catalyst lacquer in that order.

I’m not trying to match any particular colour i just need something that will make the wood look good and will cope with wiping over or spills of water.

Any suggestions on which would be best? Should i use anything to clean sanding dust off before treating them? I have water, white spirit, meths, synthetic thinners, pre-paint panel wipe and tack cloths or a compressed air line and vacuum cleaner.

Thanks all.

Kevin.

Replies

john_c2 | Aug 22, 2020 05:28pm | #1
For that application, I'd want something durable. I'd go with the precat laquer.
rob_ss | Aug 23, 2020 06:35am | #2
Yup - definitely the lacquer. You need something easy to clean.

Pre-clean is interesting.

I have found a surprising amount of dust comes off projects after blowing with compressed air, so have taken to 1. brushing, 2. compressed air 3. meths on a cloth.

The thing is, when turning, I don't do any of these and the results are excellent. I apply a sanding sealer, usually shellac, but sometimes water based poly thinned to 50% with water, then when dry I sand. This deals with any residue very effectively. Sand after as it raises the grain then progressive coats settle things more.
There is even a technique used on more open pored woods where finish is used to lubricate fine sanding paper, resulting in a slurry that fills pores.

TL:DR; it makes very little difference to most finishes, but it makes sense to clean your project well.
_mj_ | Aug 23, 2020 07:13am | #3
It's a cat bowl, the pre-cat is the obvious choice.
bikergonebald | Aug 24, 2020 02:14am | #4
Thanks guys

I will go with the lacquer.
stantheman | Aug 24, 2020 05:18pm | #5
excellent, MJ.
geedubbee | Aug 24, 2020 08:22pm | #6
For the dog dish elevator I used poly. . . , lots of poly. She's been slopping and slobbering all over it for 3 years. No signs of a problem.