How to get the best finish...

[richardwale]

Hi, I've got a lovely olive board, seasoned and flat. What would be the best product to bring out the grain. I'm thinking a wax or oil? Any guidance would be appreciated. Thanks Richard:001_smile:

[slackbladder]

OSMO oil

[Stompy]

physical finish is almost as important as your choice of wax or oil...

 

Make sure the surface is well sanded and free from minute scratches from the sandpaper. Work your way down the grades of paper from 120, 180 finishing with 240. Work with the grain to minimise any minute marking. Only then add the finish...

 

I'd go for oil, much more hard wearing than wax. Apply in thin coats with a lint free rag thin wipe off the excess with kitchen roll, again working with the grain. Get your eyes level with the surface and in the light you will see where there are smears, wipe them away...... Be gentle and quick as the thin coat will go off quick.

 

Repeat above step 3 or 4 times, rubbing back very lightly between coats with something like 400 grit paper just to de nib. Should give you a immaculate finish.....

 

Might be a bit much for what your doing but thats how I finish my furniture. Oil is pretty forgiving so you can still get a decent finish by just laying it on.... And as above Osmo is good or Morrells eazioil if you can get it.

[TGB]

If you use oil and apply it with a cloth, the cloth must be lint free and not tainted by another medium, (no grubby bits or other oils). Same goes for brushes too.

 

If its a new brush and not a 'No-loss brush', remove any loose bristles before first use. An easy way of achieving this, is to wet the new brush in water and then vigorously brush against a clean brick or clean stone, (not against cement or breeze block). Then leave brush to completely dry. During the brush's lifetime, it is doubtful it will loose any more.

Edited January 10, 2014 by TGB

[MATTMOSS]

I have an old tin of beeswax that was my dads, it really brings out the grain and colour, seems good stuff

[richardwale]

Thanks for advice. I'm not after the perfect finish as the finished product is to look rustic anyway, but I want to enhance the grain as a key selling point. Will post a picture when finished.

[se7enthdevil]

if its rustic then give it an ok sand and use osmo or briwax...

[delabodge]

whats the point of waxing something your going to eat off? or does he mean an olive colour board? bit confused, if its a choppin/board/bread board,defo not wax!

[richardwale]

It's approx a metre tall by 300 wide. It's going to be be wall mounted so needs to look the part! The board is olive tree.

[Stompy]

Whatever you do make sure you apply a finish to both faces not jut the face you will see. It may seem a minor thing but you must balance the faces to minimise any movement..... it's to do with moisture release and surface tension