Finishing advice sought for Holly

[Brandywine]

Hello,

I have made a needle case from white Holly, and am wondering what I can use to finish and protect it without changing the color of the wood (much).

If I use tung oil on it, I expect it to darken...mylands button polish might do the same.

Hopefully some of our talented turners here have some experience with Holly.

thanks,
Chris

 

[Carole Valentine]

You can finely sand it - up to like 2000 and use a little clear wax like Renaissance on it. OR, you can bleach it with 2 part wood bleach to make it even whiter then use a water based poly on it.

 

[Brian Hahn]

Another option is to use Krylon Fixatif spray to seal it without changing the color and then top coat it with Crystal Clear Krylon for durability.

 

[Ed Reiss]

Finish For Holly

Hi Chris...

What works for that situation is to first put a wash coat of shellac on, let dry, buff with 0000 steel wool. Then go with the tung oil finish

 

[Carole Valentine]

Hi Chris...

What works for that situation is to first put a wash coat of shellac on, let dry, buff with 0000 steel wool. Then go with the tung oil finish

Or a 50% thinned lacquer. It's been my experience that either will compromise the pure whiteness of the holly a little more than a water based poly though. Also, Chris, remember not to use steel wool with a water based finish!

 

[Ron Sardo]

I've had success with Masters Spray Lacquer

 

[Brandywine]

Thank you for the excellent suggestions for finishing holly. I will post a pic or two (before and after) once I have decided which method to use.