Yeah, I wasn't looking for build, just using the oil to add some
depth. The Sapele has some nice sparkle when oiled. I love the look of
a built up oil finish but just too much trouble to maintain and not
protective enough.

On Nov 12, 3:30*pm, "Leon" wrote:
"SonomaProducts.com" wrote in message

...





Having some strange problems with Sapele finish. It seems to suck up
the finish and become raw wood again.

Did Tung oil first and let dry 48 hrs

Applied a few thinned coats of dewaxed shellac.

Applied Briwax using a synthetic scrub pad and it buffed out to a
beautiful flat finish.

A few days later I had severe "dry spots". It looks like I scrubbed
through the finish and have raw wood on about 75% of the surface. I
did another sample with more coats of shellac and a few days later
same thing. I thought for sure too much scrubbing even though I did a
very light job.

But now I find one of my first samples that I never waxed and it has
done the same thing. It's like the wood sucked up the shellac and
dried out. In fact the new find seemingly has raised grain.

I've heard this wood can be a problem but kind of baffled but
intrigued too. Really glad I didn't sell the first article before I
saw this problem, it takes a few days to appear.

Any thoughts?

One of the reasons I quit using an oil for a finish and or prefinish. *I
learned that a varnish will typically not do that but it does take 2 or 3
coats before it stops looking dry. *I have not worked with Sapele but have
worked with many other woods that do what you describe.

At a local lumber dealer one of the salesmen had a chunk of exotic wood
setting on his desk. *He ad been applying Watco oil, it looked great. *How
many coats did you apply, I asked. *He answered, lost count after 30.- Hide quoted text -

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