When it comes to putting a top coat on your turning projects there are endless product choices, which can make it difficult to choose what finish is best for you. We’ll compare each of our wood finishes main ingredient, level of gloss and ease of application.
Shellac to Food-Safe Beeswax
We’ve got it all at Penblanks.ca
Shellac Friction Polishes
The most popular wood finish, friction polishes work by burnishing the product on your turning blank using heat to bond the wood with your top coat. This means you’ll need your project to be turning during application. It creates a high gloss plastic-like finish, which we’ll rate by glossiness for each product below.
Aussie Oil
Approximate Cost: $54.99/250ml
What Is It: Shellac + oil
Glossiness: 7/10
Application: Shake vigorously and apply a small amount with a blue shop towel while on the lathe. Use cirular motions for 1-3 minutes for the product to buff.
Gives wood a hard, glossy, durable finish. Brings out depth of figure in wood by trapping oil in a matrix of hardened shellac. Multiple coats can be applied immediately, or up to 1 year later.
HUT Ultra Gloss
Approximate Cost: $18.99/8oz
What Is It: Fine abrasive plastic polish
Glossiness: 10/10
Application: Apply on a cloth while turning at slow speed. Increase speed as the product is worked in. Apply pressure with fingers, moving bath and forth for about 30 seconds.
HUT removes scratches and sanding marks by giving your material an ultra glossy, plastic-like top coat. IT reduces the need for higher grit sanding and can also be used as the final buffing step in a CA finish.
Mylands High-Build Friction Polish
Approximate Cost: $49.99/500ml
What Is It: Friction polish
Glossiness: 7/10
Application: Apply to on cloth while turning on a low speed. Allow polish to dry between coats- multiple layers can be applied.
Mylands is a quick building friction polish that brings out natural beauty of wood, drying almost instantly.
One-Step Plastic Polish
Approximate Cost: $16.99/3.4oz
What Is It: Plastic Friction Polish
Glossiness: 9/10
Application: Sand to 400 grit then apply on a cloth and buff in at a slow speed for about 30 seconds
Removes scratches and sanding marks. Eliminates the need for sanding to higher grits and creates an ultra glossy, plastic-like top coat.
Shellawax
Approximate Cost: $57.99/250ml
What Is It: Liquid friction polish for wood
Glossiness: 7/10
Application: Sand up to 12,000 grit and apply directly to wood or cloth. Use heavy pressure to buff product in for approximately 15 seconds or until finish shines. Can be handled immediately after application.
Provides a hard, durable finish resistant to water marks, alcohol and heat. This non-toxic hardener is activated by heat generated during application, fusing raw wood to the top coat. Dries instantly, but hardens for an additional 3 weeks.
Super Gloss Friction Polish
Approximate Cost: $36.99/8oz
What Is It: Lacquer based wood friction polish
Glossiness: 8/10
Application: Apply directly to wood while turning at a low speed
Seals, fills and preserves wood. This durable finish instantly dries on the lathe and contains no waxes or oils.
EEE Ultra Shine Polish
Approximate Cost: $47.99/250ml
What Is It: Abrasive wax with Tripoli powder
Glossiness: 9/10
Application: Use as a final standing step before finishing. Use a wax based finish over top such as Shellawax.
Use for wood or plastics to enhance effects of sanding (brings 240 grit sanding up to 1200 grit, or 400 grit up to 12,000). Eliminates sanding time and sanding marks. Provides a a brilliant shine and blemish free surface.
Oil Wax Finishes
These finishes use a combination of oil and wax, for a more natural luster compared to a shellac friction polish. They typically have less odour during application and can be built to produce a higher shine if desired.
Craft Coat
Approximate Cost: $27.99/6oz
What Is It: Linseed oil + modified waterborne urethane
Glossiness: 6/10
Application: Wipe on while turning or brushed, dipped or sprayed once removed from the lathe. Allow product to dry between coats. Allow 24 hours before normal use.
Craft Coat cross-links when exposed to oxygen to create a durable film that is impact, scratch and chemical resistant. It will not yellow over time and adheres will to dense and oil exotic wood types.
Natural Food-Safe Finishes
Natural finishes are the way to go if you’re turning salad bowls, kitchen tools, childrens toys or furniture. Typically these types of finishes leave the lowest luster and create the most natural satin finish, allowing the real beauty of the wood to shine through. If you want to feel the wood grain, while still providing protection to your piece, consider the food-safe finishes below.
Osmow Polyx-Oil
Approximate Cost: $27.00/125ml
What Is It: High solid hardwax-oil
Glossiness: 6/10
Application: Remove from lathe and brush on. Allow 8-10 between coats- 2 coats is recommended.
This non-toxic food-safe finish is hard-wearing and has excellent resistance to water, alcohol and mild acids.
Mahoney’s Oil Wax Finish
Approximate Cost: $29.99/8oz
What Is It: Beeswax + Carnuba wax + walnut oil
Glossiness: 7/10
Application: Apply one heavy coat with a shop towel. Let soak in for an hour, then wipe off any excess
This natural, food safe finish is perfect for wood, protecting your turning projects with a natural looking finish
Mahoney’s Utility Oil Finish
Approximate Cost: $29.99/16oz
What Is It: High linoleic acid + walnut oil
Glossiness: 5/10
Application: Apply one heavy coat with a shop towel or brush. Let product soak in and harden for an hour, then wipe off excess
Utility oil penetrates deeply into wood, hardens and leaves a satin finish. The formula is heat-treated to dry faster and remove allergens, and linoleic acid is used as a stabilizing agent to extend the shelf life past other natural oils.
Clapham’s Beeswax Finishes
Approximate Cost: $23.99/7oz
What Is It: Beeswax + carnauba wax + deodorized mineral spirit solvent
Glossiness: 5/10
Application: Remove from lathe and apply a small amount with a lint-free cotton cloth or bedsheet. Wait 5 minutes and buff lightly with a fresh cloth- apply a second coat is needed
This natural finish is made with Canadian organic ingredients and can be used on wood and has no odour. The addition of mineral oil ensures the product doesn’t turn rancid and brings out the natural colours in your piece without darkening the wood.
Doctors Woodshop Pens Plus
Approximate Cost: $29.99/473ml
What Is It: Walnut Oil + Shellac
Glossiness: 7/10
Application: Apply a small amount using a shop towel at slow speed. Buff until heat is created- allow 20 seconds to dry. Up to 3 layers can be applied
This microaggregated microcrystal wax drives the oil into wood while friction allows the shellac to melt and set, producing a luster.
Now that you know a bit more about the application of these finishes, you may want to try more than one- we don’t blame you! Many come in 30ml trial size bottles. Check out our full selection here.
Subscribe to our newsletter to get all the deals! We promise we won’t bother you, only two emails a week on Wednesday & Sunday to enjoy with your morning coffee.
