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What is a good natural finish for mahogany?

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Forum topic by mhawkins2 posted 413 days ago 1181 views 0 times favorited 4 replies Add to Favorites Watch
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mhawkins2

46 posts in 464 days


413 days ago

Topic tags/keywords: question mahogany bocote finishing

I want to finish a clock face made of mahogany veneers and bocote inlay. This is my first time finishing mahogany, and I intend to use a natural finish and let the mahogany age naturally rather than staining it.

Given the porous nature of mahogany should I still try to use a silica filler to smooth the surface or can I use tung oil and maybe some shellac? Any recommended mixtures?

Is there a silica filler that will not dies the wood?

As always you advice and experience are greatly appreciated. Thank you!

-- mhawkins2 - why does my wife keep parking her car in my shop :)?

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NY_Rocking_Chairs

435 posts in 494 days


413 days ago

Here is a mahogany chair done with deft natural oil, a year later and it still looks like that…
Chair

I did nothing but sand to 500 grit abralon pad and then apply the deft oil in the usual way.

-- Rich, WNY, www.nyrockingchairs.com

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brianinpa

1365 posts in 619 days


412 days ago

Any time I have worked with mahogany I have finished with only varnish. Here is my first piece of funiture and it was finished in 1982. No sealer, no stain, just varnish – I forgot what type years ago.

-- Brian, Lebanon PA, If you aren’t having fun doing it, find something else to do.

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CessnaPilotBarry

1281 posts in 599 days


412 days ago

I like Waterlox, Pratt & Lambert, or Gymseal oil based varnish on mahogany, as well as nitrocellulose lacquer. Filling can save time, but you can do it with any film finish and wet sanding.

-- - Please help keep Lumberjocks an enjoyable escape by refusing to participate in political discussions. Simply spit out the bait and ignore the thread...

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Joey

259 posts in 712 days


412 days ago

I’ve used a both a blend of 100% pure tung oil, Boiled linseed oil and poly. and general finishes arm r seal. both are good but I prefer to blend my own and on the jewelry both in my projects, that jewelry box still looks the same way 2 years later. And my favorite quote from my 6 year old at the time daughter was “daddy i just can’t stop touching it, it feels sooo good”
i sand to 400 and then burnish the surface with 0000 steel wool and then apply the fiinish.

-- Joey, Magee, Ms http://woodnwaresms.com

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