portrait finishing how to - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

southpaw · 05-08-2009, 12:50 PM

Good morning people, I just finished cutting out my first portrait,5/8 maple, 30 yr anniversary present for my wife and I'm wondering how to put a finish on it especially inside the cuts. I have a gel varnish that I was thinking of using but going in the cuts will be a challenge, what do you guys use and do to put a finish on and in, suggestions please, after all the hrs I put on this project I sure wouldn't want to ruin it with the finish so I need you guys' expertise on this one,( did I mention that it was her bday as well ) Thanks you all in advance Lloyd

Bill Wilson · 05-08-2009, 01:16 PM

There are a couple popular ways to apply finish to fretwork. One is to use an oil type finish and dip it. Take a shallow pan, put in enough finish to cover the bottom, lay the piece in the finish, turn it over and do the other side. May need to take a small brush and work it in the frets. Take it out, let as much of the excess drip off as practical, then lay it on some paper towels or clean rags. Let the finish soak in for 10-15 minutes, then wipe off the excess. Use compressed air to blow finish out of the inside cuts and keep wiping off the excess as it bleads onto the surface. Let it dry for a couple days or until the smell goes away. You can then wipe or spray on a light topcoat if desired. Don't apply too heavily or the finish will puddle in the frets.

Spray finishes work well also. I often use rattle cans of varnish or lacquer or I spray shellac with a small spray gun. I really like the shellac because it dries very quickly, so you can hit it from several angles with light coats and avoid excessive build up.

southpaw · 05-08-2009, 03:49 PM

Thank you Mr Wilson, that procedure sure sounds like a goooood plan to me, guess what I'll be doing this weekend, again thank you.

Bill Wilson · 05-08-2009, 06:15 PM

Forgot the obligatory safety warning when working with oil finishes.

Do not let oil soaked rags lie about your shop. Lay them flat, preferrably outside, until they are dry then throw them away. There are other approved methods of disposal, but the bottom line is, a crumpled up rag, full of oil finish, is a distinct fire hazard.

I believe this is most important when using boiled linseed oil, tung oil or any of the variants of Danish oil, Antique oil type finishes. I would treat varnish soaked rags with the same care, just to be safe.

HAMMER · 05-08-2009, 07:40 PM

Mr. Wilson Is Right Just Be Careful When Wiping Off Excess You Might Want To Blott It Off As The Small Fret Pieces Might Get Caught On The Rag And Break.

You Are A Brave Man To Hang Your Well-being On One Gift For A Birthday And An Anniversary.

Braver Than Me......

Happy Anniversary.....

Hammer

smw6442 · 05-09-2009, 03:53 AM

Hi Lloyd, I just finish a portrait pattern and i used a clear spray varnish just follow the directions on the can. mine turned out very nice but before you use varnish you might want to wipe it down with a tack cloth. good luck steve

ubgoofy2003 · 05-11-2009, 05:09 AM

Loyd, sounds like you have a nice project going. I wouldn't want to spoil it either. What I use is Fornbey's Tongue oil and I just wipe it on with a cloth and use a small artist brush to paint inside the cuts. It's up to you how you would like to finish it, so once you get an idea, you can choose your own way. Good Luck.
Perk

sawdustus · 05-11-2009, 11:24 AM

Ditto on the wet rags. Lay or hang them flat in the open air until they are completely dry before disposing of them. Do this for any finish or coating that has an odor when you open the can or spray it.

Ditto on the tack it off. Make sure you blow out any dust from the frets before you put the finish on it. You may also have to give it an additional very light 320 grit after the first coat to remove any grain the finish might raise to resmooth the surface.

george

southpaw · 05-11-2009, 12:51 PM

This past weekend didn't go as planned, didn't get to put that finish on the portrait,I wanted to experiment on some scrap wood first, will try both methods hopefully tonight, wet rag disposal procedure will be implemented and my wife has always cherished more something personally made than bought and the evidence is displayed all over the house, the stuff in the china cabinet doesn't get the TLC that these items get, so I know that she will greatly appreciate the portrait but I want to make it as perfect as I can.

05-08-2009, 12:50 PM	#1
southpaw Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: wedgeport, ns, can. Posts: 45	portrait finishing how to? Good morning people, I just finished cutting out my first portrait,5/8 maple, 30 yr anniversary present for my wife and I'm wondering how to put a finish on it especially inside the cuts. I have a gel varnish that I was thinking of using but going in the cuts will be a challenge, what do you guys use and do to put a finish on and in, suggestions please, after all the hrs I put on this project I sure wouldn't want to ruin it with the finish so I need you guys' expertise on this one,( did I mention that it was her bday as well ) Thanks you all in advance Lloyd Last edited by southpaw; 05-08-2009 at 01:00 PM. Reason: forgot the question mark because I'm asking for help and not giving advise

05-08-2009, 01:16 PM	#2
Bill Wilson Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Butler, PA Posts: 591	There are a couple popular ways to apply finish to fretwork. One is to use an oil type finish and dip it. Take a shallow pan, put in enough finish to cover the bottom, lay the piece in the finish, turn it over and do the other side. May need to take a small brush and work it in the frets. Take it out, let as much of the excess drip off as practical, then lay it on some paper towels or clean rags. Let the finish soak in for 10-15 minutes, then wipe off the excess. Use compressed air to blow finish out of the inside cuts and keep wiping off the excess as it bleads onto the surface. Let it dry for a couple days or until the smell goes away. You can then wipe or spray on a light topcoat if desired. Don't apply too heavily or the finish will puddle in the frets. Spray finishes work well also. I often use rattle cans of varnish or lacquer or I spray shellac with a small spray gun. I really like the shellac because it dries very quickly, so you can hit it from several angles with light coats and avoid excessive build up. __________________ "I'm a white male, aged 18 to 49. Everyone listens to me! No matter how dumb my suggestions are."

05-08-2009, 06:15 PM	#4
Bill Wilson Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Butler, PA Posts: 591	Forgot the obligatory safety warning when working with oil finishes. Do not let oil soaked rags lie about your shop. Lay them flat, preferrably outside, until they are dry then throw them away. There are other approved methods of disposal, but the bottom line is, a crumpled up rag, full of oil finish, is a distinct fire hazard. I believe this is most important when using boiled linseed oil, tung oil or any of the variants of Danish oil, Antique oil type finishes. I would treat varnish soaked rags with the same care, just to be safe. __________________ "I'm a white male, aged 18 to 49. Everyone listens to me! No matter how dumb my suggestions are."

05-11-2009, 11:24 AM	#8
sawdustus Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,975	Ditto on the wet rags. Lay or hang them flat in the open air until they are completely dry before disposing of them. Do this for any finish or coating that has an odor when you open the can or spray it. Ditto on the tack it off. Make sure you blow out any dust from the frets before you put the finish on it. You may also have to give it an additional very light 320 grit after the first coat to remove any grain the finish might raise to resmooth the surface. george __________________ A day without sawdust is a day without sunshine. George delta 650, hawk G426

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

05-08-2009, 03:49 PM	#3
southpaw Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: wedgeport, ns, can. Posts: 45	Thank you Mr Wilson, that procedure sure sounds like a goooood plan to me, guess what I'll be doing this weekend, again thank you.

05-08-2009, 07:40 PM	#5
HAMMER Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: KATY, TX. (WEST HOUSTON) Posts: 374	Mr. Wilson Is Right Just Be Careful When Wiping Off Excess You Might Want To Blott It Off As The Small Fret Pieces Might Get Caught On The Rag And Break. You Are A Brave Man To Hang Your Well-being On One Gift For A Birthday And An Anniversary. Braver Than Me...... Happy Anniversary..... Hammer

05-09-2009, 03:53 AM	#6
smw6442 Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 31	Hi Lloyd, I just finish a portrait pattern and i used a clear spray varnish just follow the directions on the can. mine turned out very nice but before you use varnish you might want to wipe it down with a tack cloth. good luck steve

05-11-2009, 05:09 AM	#7
ubgoofy2003 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Arizona Posts: 490	Loyd, sounds like you have a nice project going. I wouldn't want to spoil it either. What I use is Fornbey's Tongue oil and I just wipe it on with a cloth and use a small artist brush to paint inside the cuts. It's up to you how you would like to finish it, so once you get an idea, you can choose your own way. Good Luck. Perk

05-11-2009, 12:51 PM	#9
southpaw Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: wedgeport, ns, can. Posts: 45	This past weekend didn't go as planned, didn't get to put that finish on the portrait,I wanted to experiment on some scrap wood first, will try both methods hopefully tonight, wet rag disposal procedure will be implemented and my wife has always cherished more something personally made than bought and the evidence is displayed all over the house, the stuff in the china cabinet doesn't get the TLC that these items get, so I know that she will greatly appreciate the portrait but I want to make it as perfect as I can.