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Black shoe polish

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Dec 29, 2022
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Anyone ever used this to cover the thing that I knew I shouldn't have done today. (rookie move by using white diamond compound on a very open grain walnut platter.)
 
Mistake ! don't hide it enhance it. Try white limeing wax or a white paste shoe polish to highlight the problem. It may not work but better than losing the piece. If you still have a way to mount you can put it on lathe and either sand or scrape the bowl.
 
If the platter is a simple shape without any beads, sharp edges, etc., you don't need to remount on the lathe to remove the white diamond. Put a sanding mandrel in your drill press and sand the entire piece holding it with both hands. I would try starting with 325 grit to see if that removes the white. If not, step back to 240 grit. Wet sanding with walnut oil is another option, this would be my first choice. The wet sanding has the added effect of being a grain filler, just remember to take several weeks to let the oil cure before buffing. If you don't have a drill press of sufficient size, you can put the sanding mandrel in a Jacobs chuck in the headstock of your lathe.
By the way, I would not give up on the white diamond wheel. The difference in sheen is noticeable and worth the effort.
 
If you want to go the color route then I've used India ink with good results. I find the color from India ink has a slight blue tint. Many turners I respect use Febing's Black Leather Dye Amazon link. Stating the obvious there are many other dye alternatives.

Good luck!
 
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Mineral spirits and a tooth brush will get ut out. You have too much white diamond wax on your buff. I used to have that problem. Not anymore. As long as there is a few coats of finish on you should not have a problem. It takes very little wax on your wheels. You con use the sharp edge of a freshly cut board to remove the wax build up. Might take all 4 edges of a board to get it off.
As far as shoe polish goes. I've used it a bunch to purposely fill pores in wood. It will color the wood a little. My favorite is to dye mahagony red and then use brown shoe polish. It looks exactly like the old antique mahagony furniture with a burgundy sort of color.
 
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