Replies

1. 
   Paul_Snyder | Mar 03, 2003 01:49am | #1

   Kimbel - A pretty easy, but good looking finish that will not scratch easily is oil-base varnish or polyurtehane (a more durable type of varnish).

   Some brands are made to be applied using the wipe-on technique and any of these will do well, and be easy to use. Some brands in this category include;

   Waterlox

   Zar Wipe-on Tung Oil

   Formby's Tung Oil Finish

   General Finishes' Sealacell

   General Finishes' Arm R Seal

   Val-Oil

   Hope's Tung Oil Varnish

   Gillespie Tung Oil

   Daly's ProFin

   Jasco Tung Oil

   Don't let the names of the products fool you - thay are all wiping varnish and will provide an attractive, durable finish. I'd use Waterlox original myself - it's the one I like best - but they will all do a good job. Just follow the directions on the can.

   Other brands of wipe-on finish are not as durable as the ones on the list above - they have extra oil added and are softer when they cure.

   Paul

   F'burg, VA

1. 
   Kimbel | Mar 04, 2003 06:03am | #2

   Paul - Thanks for the tips.  I'll see which of those I can find here locally and let you know how it went.

2. 
   Gretchen | Mar 04, 2003 09:27pm | #3

   I thnk this might be a good place to use spar varnish--or make a long oil varnish by adding oil to varnish (not poly varnish) for  a wipe on finish. The longer oil would make it flexible and less likely to chip.Gretchen

2. 
   johnhardy | Mar 04, 2003 09:29pm | #4

   The only thing I'd add is to avoid use of a gloss finish. A chessboard should not have glare that would distract the players.

   John