whats the best finish for catalpa

[seventhdevil]

hi all, just been turning some catalpa and wondered if anyone had found a really good finish for it?

the bowl i'm doing is being finished in danish oil but will have to do alot to get it to shine.

i'd like to get a reflective quality to some of the bits i have to show the depth of grain it sometimes exhibits.

[Bryan Milham]

Steve,

I think your asking about what i know as the Indian Bean Tree, and if it's the wood I think it is, it's very light (not dense). I go along with an oil finish, but to stop it soaking in as fast as you can apply it, I'd defiantly look to seal it first.

A sanding sealer or shellac sealer would be my choice. To get the shine I think you want, many light coats of danish oil, cut back with grey webrax between coats. And allow it to fully polymerize before giving it a good buffing.

[The Bowler Hatted Turner]

What he ^ said.

[Bryan Milham]

And, of course, post a piccy please.

[Graham]

Yes, piccie please. Never seen Catalpa.

[seventhdevil]

with any luck there are pictures attached.

had a couple of coats of danish oil so far.

.