How should I finish my pine frame traps?

[therage!]

I've used pine to build some 703 traps. I'm covering the fronts but not the sides. I'm not much of a woodworker and would like to know the best way to finish them. Some light sanding and then a varnish of some type?

Thanks guys

 

[TexRoadkill]

Some light sanding and then a varnish of some type?

Unless you are doing ivory inlays and guilding that's about all you can do. Dont forget some primer depending on what stain or paint you use.

 

[Gorty]

I've used pine to build some 703 traps. I'm covering the fronts but not the sides. I'm not much of a woodworker and would like to know the best way to finish them. Some light sanding and then a varnish of some type?

Thanks guys

I just lightly sanded mine and then applied two coats of a mahogany stain/varnish in one!

 

[andyhix]

if you stain them, you should consider using pre-stain wood conditioner. it helps the wood absorb the stain more evenly. Stain on softwoods (pine, spruce, fir) tends to get real blotchy due to pockets of pitch.

 

[markitzero]

I like a nice tung oil finish. The kind you can get at the Home Depot is a tung oil/varnish mixture. I've refinished the necks of some of my guitars with this stuff and it's great. You can stain it first to add some color, though. Really frikkin easy to do.

 

[Gorty]

if you stain them, you should consider using pre-stain wood conditioner. it helps the wood absorb the stain more evenly. Stain on softwoods (pine, spruce, fir) tends to get real blotchy due to pockets of pitch.

Not a bad idea but I have stained tonnes of pine and as long as the surface is grease/oil free and sanded lightly you can achieve some nice finishes without blemishes. I find it is more associated with the certain types of stains and varnishes that are used that will vary the finish.

 

[andyhix]

I like a nice tung oil finish. The kind you can get at the Home Depot is a tung oil/varnish mixture. I've refinished the necks of some of my guitars with this stuff and it's great. You can stain it first to add some color, though. Really frikkin easy to do.

Boiled Linseed Oil (BLO to woodworkers) is nice too. Also super easy. Home Depot and Lowe's has it, but for some reason it's never with the finishes. It's a few isles over, maybe by the cleaning supplies, I think....

One of my favorite finishes for hardwoods (i.e. not pines) is BLO with paste wax buffed in over the top. Super simple, and you don't even need a brush. On softwoods, it will not change the look fo the wood much, but will protect it, and make it a tad bit shinier.

Edit - maybe it's the paste wax that's not where you'd expect it....either way, both are available at HD or Lowe's.

another Edit - if you use BLO, be sure to leave your rags spread out for a week or so to dry completely. It's possible for them to spontaneously combust; they heat up as they dry. If they're all wadded up in a garbage can, that heat can get high enough to ignite. Seriously!

 

[therage!]

Thanks guys for all the replies.