Applying Mini wax over ?

Minwax (?), as with any other wax, can be applied over any cured finish.

My tin says nothing about a sealer, but wax isn't worth a lot as a finish, anyway. It'll do for an "art" piece, but nothing useful.

George

What are your reccommendations for a finish.

The reason i ask is i,ve most always considered that the very expensive woodturning that are sold, or a percentage of them are finished with a buffing system where the final product is a wax, underneath which is, or can be, a diluted shelac finish. Any comments. I guess finishing is a very personable choice.

Keith

Depends on what you're after.

For a dry item bowl - shellac or urethane are my favorites. They'll take wiping with a damp cloth and be bright afterward. For a salad bowl, I either run a thinned urethane seal, minimum surface, or walnut oil. Use will moot my finish anyway, so all I'm interested in is slowing the accumulation of dressing fixin's.

Popcorn is a definite walnut oil, because surface finishes would be blistered by the unpopped kernels, and, once again, the oil on the contents is the ultimate finish.

Note, no wax yet!

For looking pieces - things like ornaments or candy dishes, shellac has to be as easy as it gets. Wax now becomes an option, but I'm a polisher, so it's not really necessary. Some folks like just wax on this kind of thing, but it's harder stuff than Minwax, and no solvents. There's no such thing as several coats of wax, because the solvent dissolves, buffing removes all but the least amount.

I personally buff the finish, not the wood. The sparkle comes from the differential refraction in and around the pores, and I don't care to stuff 'em with sanding or buffing slurry. That stuff leaves a smooth surface, but it has no life. I don't use satin finishes or scuff the surface to scatter light for the same reason,- don't care to have the finish hide or obscure the wood.

Then there are folks who just run something like boiled linseed or tung oil in. Most I've seen are "I do art" types, even if the pieces are pedestrian. I think they're just lazy.

Thanks George.

What is your take, on finish contamination entering and contaminating the food. I was told that most finishes leach out after a month or so anyway. Besides the microscopic amounts that would enter the food would be a very insignificant . ( At least thats my opinion and others ) Lead is banned from finishes so that is not a factor.

Keith