How do you shine up your finials ?

[Graham]

As per the title.
I have applied several coats of Danish oil and intend to buff up the body with the Chestnut three wheel system but I have my doubts that the finial, and possibly the stand, with stand up to it.

[bodrighywood]

I usually buff with carnuba wax. Have  to be careful and not run the wheel too fast mind.

Pete

[Philip Green]

I buff mine before gluing to the lid.

Don't forget to hold on tight.

Good way to make the wife jealous. My finger nails shine better than hers after buffing small items.

[Bryan Milham]

Depending upon the wood type but as I like African Blackwood, I find sanding to 800 or better, then using SheilaWax EEE a great start before going to the buffing wheel.

SheilaWax EEE is a soft paste wax with Tripoli (EEE) in it, the more you rub it on the wood, the more the tripoli breaks down getting finer & finer, gives a fantastic shine.

[Graham]

So even fragile thin(isn) finials survive...... and its good for the fingernails. Got it.

[bodrighywood]

When buffing it is best to buff along the length mind, not across it. They don't 'arf fly if you lose your grip

Pete

[Graham]

When buffing it is best to buff along the length mind, not across it. They don't 'arf fly if you lose your grip
Pete

Ahh, that is going to be difficult. The finial is part of the lid but should be doable, the base is wide at both ends so will have to be done cross ways. Best have some foam handy.

[bodrighywood]

When buffing it is best to buff along the length mind, not across it. They don't 'arf fly if you lose your grip
Pete

Ahh, that is going to be difficult. The finial is part of the lid but should be doable, the base is wide at both ends so will have to be done cross ways. Best have some foam handy.

Keep,your wheel slow then and be gentle. The loose leaves of the wheel can catch it when cross wise and pull it from your hands or snap it if it is a thin one. Just go carefully and you should be OK.

Pete 

[Rlewisrlou666]

I've heard elbow grease works wonders.

Thanks for posting I've been wondering about buffing items too.

Ryan

[Les Symonds]

I've heard elbow grease works wonders.

...ah, elbow grease! A guide at the Welsh National Folk Museum told me, many many years ago, that when the leather tanners were working grease and tallow into the hides to make them more supple, on particularly stubborn, dry bits of the hide, they'd grind the grease into the leather by rubbing it with their elbow. hence the expression.

Not a lot of people know that! (Well, they do now.  )

Les

[Graham]

Elbow grease ??
Is he allowed to come on here and swear like that ?

[Paul Hannaby]

For small things you could use a small buffing wheel on a dremel or similar.

[Graham]

Thats a good idea Paul. I have one sitting in a drawer 

[Rlewisrlou666]

Thanks Les

I knew it was rubbing some form of Grease in with the elbow but didn't know it was Leather Tanners.

Ryan