Hi Gary,
I am currently making the arts and crafts-style bookcase out of quartersawn white oak that you wrote an article on. (Its also shown in your gallery on the fine woodworking website.
I was curious what finish you used on the piece? Do you have any recommendations for an easy finish for a novice like me? Again, I’m using quartersawn white oak.
thanks,
Shawn
Replies
Hi Shawn,
I used a wiping varnish called Pro-fin on that bookcase. It's pretty easy to apply, you just wipe it on with a rag. [Make sure you dispose of the rags properly as they can spontaneously combust if you let them sit in a pile. Spread them out on the concrete floor to dry out and then toss them.]
With this product, make sure that after the first coat, you're keeping an eye on it as it dries after each application. If you don't wipe off the excess quickly enough, it can dry kind of crusty.
However on a bookcase like this, an oil finish would be just fine or even shellac. It all depends upon the amount of protection and sheen you're looking for. The wiping varnish offers a good deal of that. Good luck and have fun with it.
Gary
Thanks Gary. I looked into the Pro Fin. Sounds great. And ironically, I live a couple blocks from the Daly's store that makes Pro Fin. Life is good.shawn
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