Finishing question-keep the wood light

  • Thread starter Thread starter JC
  • Start date Start date
JC

JC

Coos Cues
I have been using an epoxy finish mostly because of the ease of application and low toxicity. My results are getting pretty good as far as depth and gloss but I wonder is there a way to keep the wood from darkening so much when sealing it with epoxy prior to applying the finish. Or will I need to scuttle this finish and move on to the poisonous ones?

Thanks,

JC
 
You're sealing with epoxy to finish with epoxy? Have you tried simply finishing over the bare cue, no sealer? Or perhaps try sealing with shellac instead of epoxy. Simple shellac makes for an outstanding sealer & doesn't discolor anything.
 
qbilder said:
You're sealing with epoxy to finish with epoxy? Have you tried simply finishing over the bare cue, no sealer? Or perhaps try sealing with shellac instead of epoxy. Simple shellac makes for an outstanding sealer & doesn't discolor anything.
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Is shellac compatible with an epoxy overcoat? I tried finishing a cue once with a padauk handle without sealing it and it was a total disaster. That thing bubbled like alka seltzer as it dried. Other woods are better of course.

I would like to preserve some of the fresh cut look of woods like bocote which is gorgeous when fresh. I have seen some finished cues that the bocote looked fresh cut and wondered how they did it.

JC
 
The fresh cut look of bocote and most other woods will darken in time no matter what the finish is. Yes you can epoxy over shellac. Zinsser makes a Universal Seal Coat (home Depot) that is great for almost everything you can imagine. I even use it to seal every piece of veneer before I use it in a cue. Soak both sides of every piece and let them dry.. Smells great (alcohol).
 
Paul Dayton said:
The fresh cut look of bocote and most other woods will darken in time no matter what the finish is. Yes you can epoxy over shellac. Zinsser makes a Universal Seal Coat (home Depot) that is great for almost everything you can imagine. I even use it to seal every piece of veneer before I use it in a cue. Soak both sides of every piece and let them dry.. Smells great (alcohol).
Click to expand...

Do you use it between cuts on woods that are seasoning?

Thanks,

JC
 
If you use shellac, make sure it is dewaxed. Better to roll your own with shellac flakes cut with alcohol (Everclear as I 've heard works great for this as long as you don't drink it first.) Then you have your choice of amber, blond, or even close to clear.

The other thing is, like most things at the hardware store, they sit a long time and eventually go bad. If you cut your own shellac, the flakes always remain fresh if you keep them in a sealed container in a cool place, and you make just as much as you need.
 
Cyano dries crystal clear. Works well on those jobs where you don't wan't to alter the colour of the wood, as with holly.
 
Paul Dayton said:
The fresh cut look of bocote and most other woods will darken in time no matter what the finish is. Yes you can epoxy over shellac. Zinsser makes a Universal Seal Coat (home Depot) that is great for almost everything you can imagine. I even use it to seal every piece of veneer before I use it in a cue. Soak both sides of every piece and let them dry.. Smells great (alcohol).
Click to expand...

what he said.
 
Epoxies finishes can varied, if you use West system 105/207 you won't have have to seal before using.

Mario
 
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