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oil or not

It depends on the bark. I sometimes do It makes it darker and shinier. Other times I won't because it makes it darker and shiner. 🙂 Seriously. I just look at it and try to decide what it needs. Lately I've had trouble with bark staying on. Probably the species or the condition of the log. So I've been making my own bark, sort of. I carve off what is left and then I color the bark area with a permanent marker. I have also used an ink Brayer and rolled on a color. My favorite right now is to use sea sponges and dab on multiple colors. It sort of looks like my version of Lichen. I'll sponge on some dark green, then light green, then some tan. Then maybe red or gold very sparingly. Then go back over it with the tan or light green to tone down the bright colors if needed. I might throw in other colors just for fun. What I've also played with is building my own bark. I remove the existing bark and then mix up some very thick epoxy. I might create a dam or channel using masking tape to better control it. Then I just pour or dab it on building it up to about 1/4 to 3/8" I usually color the epoxy first and have even done 2 layers with say a tan on the bottom and dark brown on top. Then I go back and sponge paint this if necessary. yea it's too much work to make bowls profitable but it's fun and I learn something each time I do it.
 
I do a lot of NE bowls. I usually use thin CA on the bark before before I sand and I sand the bark just like the wood and use the same finish on it as the wood. My finish is usually Antique Oil or WOP. I normally have pretty good luck keeping the bark on. Seems like the thinner I make the bowl the less chance I have of keeping the bark on.
 
I agree with John Lucas. My decision is based on what I think would look good on a the NE turning that I am currently working on. I haven't made many NE pieces and most of the ones that I have made were mesquite. On mesquite, I often do what Fred does and use super thin CA to keep the bark intact. I try to apply it only to the cambium layer, but if it spreads into the bark, I will saturate the rest of the bark. The only oil type finishes that I have used on NE pieces actually are oil/varnish blends such as Minwax Antique Oil and WATCO Danish Oil.
 
Most of the time I take the bark off natural edge bowls especially those that have utilitarian potential.

The rims without bark are usually more elegant

However it is work to get the bark off so I do leave it on occasionally.
I try to keep the bark a flatter finish than the wood.
1 coat of Waterlox in the bark.
4-6 coats on the wood.

Another technique is no finish on the bark and then apply walnut oil with a old tooth brush to the bark

Some finish will add to the longevity of the bark.
Handling the bowl is likely to damage the bark

Have fun,
Al
 
Oil

Bill, so glad to hear about you and other people using Danish Oil. Just started using it my self... Since it was a left over from my Ron Kent look alike bowls days, I didn't really know anything about it. I can even use it on top of my 2 part epoxy , looks like the epoxy holds the NE bark in place as good as the CA...
I wonder if you know why I can't get my AAW forum email notices thru my spam Gmail google filter. I keep clicking this is not spam... Aloha.
 
Emiliano Achaval said:
Bill, so glad to hear about you and other people using Danish Oil. Just started using it my self... Since it was a left over from my Ron Kent look alike bowls days, I didn't really know anything about it. I can even use it on top of my 2 part epoxy , looks like the epoxy holds the NE bark in place as good as the CA...
I wonder if you know why I can't get my AAW forum email notices thru my spam Gmail google filter. I keep clicking this is not spam... Aloha.
Click to expand...

Is it really Google that is filtering it or is it your browser software (Firefox, for example). It could be that the problem is with your software. I suppose that instead of using Gmail that you could use Yahoo if you insist on web based email. You also ought to be able to use the email account that your ISP provides along with an email program like Outlook. That way, you should be able to set up your own filter rules.
 
Emiliano Achaval said:
...can't get my AAW forum email notices thru my spam Gmail google filter...
Click to expand...

Same here - all email related to the AAW forum went into Google spam. Does it help to put the AAW forum email address into your address book? I haven't tried that yet.

BTW, I have been using danish oil for many years. Sometimes I'll use it under other finishes. I did discover it turned beautiful cocobolo black very quickly. I won't do that again. (TruOil works ok on cocobolo)

JKJ
 
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