Finishing wormy wood

[Dean Center]

I just cut down my neighbor's nearly deceased apple tree. (Yes, I had permission) After cutting into sections, I found a lot of it looked pretty punky but before tossing 2/3 of the tree, I decided to try turning a chunk and it made a very nice bowl. It's spalted, but not soft and punky after all. Plus, I turned it to finished shape right off and it barely moved.

Normally, I use tung oil and top with a little wax on apple, but the two pieces I've finished have many worm holes and grooves in them. Wax would seem likely to end up in chunks in the holes. How would you suggest I finish them?

Dean Center

 

[MichaelMouse]

Depending on the variety of wax, warm it so it flows instead of clumps. Hair dryer ought to do for it.

 

[Steve Worcester]

Even if you have some wax in the holes, unless it is a thick fiction wax, you can still clean out the holes with a toothbrush, pipe cleaners, etc.

 

[Dean Center]

Thanks for the recommendations. I've got beeswax in citrus oil slush, Renaissance and a Minwax product. There are a bazillion holes in the 2 bowls I've finished and I would prefer not to have to clean out every one.
Dean

 

[Steve Worcester]

A bazillion is a lot. Nothing says you have to finish it with anything. Maybe natural would work, or even a Krylon sprayed lightly.

 

[George Van Beynen]

I agree with Steve, Krylon fixative may look perfect for this piece. Or you could plug a bazillion holes with tissue paper.

 

[JerrySambrook]

Or go with just the oil finish, and do a "dry" buff on it after it has cured some.