FINISHING SECRETS… No.3
Bare Wood?
Why is it necessary for us to always put something on a piece of wood. There is a good argument for leaving the surface of some wood bare, with no finish?
We are often looking for the finish that will change the color of the wood the least. If we don’t put anything on the wood, there is nothing to change its natural color, other than the wood itself. Any color change that does occur will be from the natural exposure of the wood to light and air.
And then there is the matter of “food safety”. Since there is nothing on the wood, there are no concerns about whether or not the finish is safe for use with food.
Application of the no-finish (ON the lathe)
The following is described as though the work was being done on the lathe.
Application of the no-finish (OFF the lathe)
You can do the same thing with the lathe OFF, or on the workbench. The difference is that you will have to work harder.
Maintenance of the "No Finish"
In the traditional use of the word, this is not a finish. We have put nothing on the wood. There is nothing to protect the wood from airborne moisture, chemicals, and organisms.
An annual buffing with a natural bristle scrub brush will clean the wood surface and compact the wood fibers. Do not use a brush with synthetic bristles because their ends are cut sharp, and can scratch the wood surface. I use a brush that is sold for horse grooming.
