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General Category => General Scroll Saw Talk => Topic started by: Lakelad on November 23, 2020, 05:04:05 pm

Title: Baltic birch finishes
Post by: Lakelad on November 23, 2020, 05:04:05 pm

I have always used the lemon oil furniture polish finish on baltic birch. What are other options you would recommend?

Title: Re: Baltic birch finishes
Post by: spirithorse on November 23, 2020, 09:58:50 pm

I simply use rattle can spray Polyurethane.
Do you have any photos of what the furniture polish finish looks like
on Baltic Birch? I'm interested.
God Bless! Spirithorse

Title: Re: Baltic birch finishes
Post by: Lakelad on November 24, 2020, 10:11:06 pm

I don't have any pictures, I tried it on some scrap which I have thrown out. Sorry.

Title: Re: Baltic birch finishes
Post by: KCSteve on November 25, 2020, 09:29:10 am

Most things work pretty well.  It takes stains well and the edges can come out pretty cool.

I use the basic food-safe finish on a lot of things simply because it's handy - that's the 4 or 5 parts mineral oil to 1 part beeswax mix.  Do a search for 'food safe wood finish' and you should find plenty of descriptions & videos.

Some tips I've figured out: shave your beeswax into flakes - easier to measure and melts faster.  Use a double boiler setup and don't get it too hot.  Best to monitor with a candy thermometer because they say that much over 150F and you can get flammable fumes.  Once it's well mixed put it into a wide-mouthed container.  I have a 'tupperware' style bowl I got at the Dollar Store.  Smear it on with a paper towel, wait a few minutes and wipe off the excess.  Extra coats don't seem to make any difference.  Takes a day or two to get fully set and hard.  Gives a nice soft look.

Title: Re: Baltic birch finishes
Post by: Lakelad on November 25, 2020, 05:17:47 pm

Thank you for the food safe wood finish suggestion. I am going to check it out.

Title: Re: Baltic birch finishes
Post by: spirithorse on November 26, 2020, 11:40:24 pm

Thanks for the reply, Lakelad,
I'll have to try that on some scrap also.
Thanks also to KCSteve for the measurements he used for his beeswax.
I never really thought of using that on BB.
God Bless! Spirithorse

Title: Re: Baltic birch finishes
Post by: rfielder on November 27, 2020, 04:16:33 pm

Just used Polycrylic on a 3/4" piece of baltic birch.  Looks good!  Two coats, sanding between.

Even though I sanded with 400 grit, it did not come out as smooth as I might have liked.

Used a 3/8" round over bit on the plywood all edges both sides.  That part looks very nice as well with the Polycrylic!

Title: Re: Baltic birch finishes
Post by: Zoot Fenster on December 06, 2020, 01:37:12 pm

Baltic birch is prone to "raised grain".  Thoroughly wet the surface, dry, sand lightly with 180 / 220 grit, sometimes I do it again.  A light coat of shellac / sealcoat, then 400 grit sanding leaves a smooth surface.  It is a pain, but when building drawers, I can finish an entire plywood sheet and not finish the drawer at all.  I have also used lacquer instead of shellac with equally good results.