Finish for Paduk

[Jeff Clow]

I need to finish a couple of small shelves made from paduk. These are not high traffic, or usage...more like nik-nak shelves. What would be a good finish to use on this wood?

[Robert Miller]

I like equal parts of boiled linseed oil, varnish, and turps used as a wiping varnish.

[Jeff Clow]

Robert, what type of varnish do you use?

[Robert Miller]

Robert, what type of varnish do you use?

You can use any varnish, I use Minwax Spar Varnish,it's available from the big box stores and less expensive than marine stores. Do not use linseed oil, it will go rancid. Use boiled linseed oil or tung oil ( expensive).
When you use something like Formby's etc it is really just a wiping varnish.
I mix 1/3 oil, 1/3 varnish, and 1/3 turps. you can use mineral spirits if you don't like the smell of turps.
Mix the tree parts in a glass jar and apply with a brush, let it tack up a little ( 10 min) then use a clean lint free cotton cloth to wipe the surface well into the wood. You want to be sure that you do not have any excess left that wasn't absorbed by the wood or you will have a sticky mess.
Let dry overnight and reapply again, you can add a higher mix of varnish if you want more gloss up to 50 percent.

This is a very nice satin finish that looks great on hardwoods like padauk.
WARNING

DO NOT PUT OILY RAGS IN THE TRASH!!!!!

THEY WILL SELF-COMBUST AND BURN THE HOUSE DOWN!!!!!!!

Put the rags in a pail of water or air dry outside.

[Joe Unni]

I used a coat of dewaxed shellac and about 6 coats of General Finishes Oil/Poly Semi-gloss for this project.

http://sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=57835

I hope this is helpful.

Good luck,
-joe