I've just finished making a platter out of an "interesting" piece of oak. The end result is quite pleasing to my eyes, including as it does heartwood, sapwood, burrs, punky wood, bark inclusions and checks aplenty, but I'm having trouble getting an even finish with Chestnut Finishing Oil.
This is largely due to the varying absorbencies of the different parts of the platter, but also with capillary action lifting oil back to the surface through "eyes" and cracks.
Basically a mess. It's not too clear in the pictures but some areas are still matt, some have too heavy a coating of oil, some have blobs where the oil has pooled or risen back up, or come through a crack from the other side. All of this following three coats, lightly sanded in between, wiped off with a cloth a few minutes after application, in a warm indoor environment.
The oil is reasonably thin but it is several years old. I know, I know!
The platter is about 600mm along it's longest axis; top lip 450mm diameter. If necessary, I could mount it back on the lathe with a friction drive of some sort.
I would greatly appreciate any advice on how best to improve the finish.
Sand back, start again with fresh oil?
Leave to cure fully, sand back apply way on the main areas?
Leave to cure fully, sand back and spray with lacquer?
Giving up and crying is not an option!
Thanks in advance
Duncan