Bottle Stopper Finish

[wyone]

I just started turning bottle stoppers and am curious what people are using for a finish. I know people use the stoppers for wine, oils, all kinds of things, so want to make sure I give them the best finish possible

THanks

 

[southernclay]

Hey Mitch,
Pens Plus works great for stoppers, it does well with any sort of contours and shapes that you do with them.

 

[KenV]

Mitch -- these get used for alcohol, for dry goods (like bottles of peppercorns) and for oil an vinegar bottles.

I avoid shellac finishes with liquids, but they work well on dry uses. Have had good success with CA finishes, Lacquer, and with polyurethane varnishes.

 

[Edgar]

I use the same thing that I use on pens - either Myland's friction Polish or Craft Coat

 

[TellicoTurning]

I figure they don't get handled all that much, so I've used the HUT wax system on my latest... 3 coats of brown, then three coats of white, high speed buffing in between with paper towels, then 3 coats of carnuba - again buffed out with paper towels... a finish takes 10-15 minutes.

I've also tried the spray lacquers - which I don't like and multiple coats of polyurethane... problem with poly and lacquer is sanding between coats and drying time... the finish becomes too time consuming for what I charge for bottle stoppers.

 

[jfoh]

I use Behlen qualalacq lacquer for wine stoppers. After applying the last coat I let it cure for two to three weeks before buffing. that allows it to get very hard and it takes a great shine. this finish has been a very durable finish for me. It does take time but the results are worth the extra effort.

 

[wyone]

what great ideas.. so has anyone seen what they are like in a year or so? I worry about the CA or lacquer cracking and such. I have not tried pens plus, but it sounds like maybe I should.

I am still working on the sanding aspect. I have eliminated most of my sanding on pens by using a skew, but not having the same success on the stoppers. I used a 2 inch sanding pad and made my own self powered sander, but that seems to be overkill.

I am spoiled by having the finish be 80% done when I finish with the skew on pens.

 

[Deadhead]

Dr. Woodshop's Walnut Oil.

 

[monophoto]

First choice has been Minwax WOP, but I have also used a few other finishes in special cases.

One special is stoppers with captive rings - finishing a captive ring is a bit more complicated (it is necessary to finish the outside of the ring before it is cut free, and then finish the inside, and it's hard to apply a friction polish and build up any heat. So I've tended to use pure tung oil for those.

 

[wyone]

PFFT you want me to try captive rings? I am thinking I am doing good coming up with a shape that does not look weird that I can get a smooth finish on! lol Although see.. now you have me thinking about it. But it would require buying a tool for doing that,, so.. I want to! lol

 

[dankc908]

FYI re: Bottle Stoppers - If the stopper is to be used for red wine DO NOT use Chrome Bottle Stopper hardware. Use the Stainless Steel. I have had some returned due to pitting that will not happen with the Stainless Steel hardware.

 

[TonyL]

This was a good how-to.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMJ1MC8qjmw

 

[wyone]

I bought Stainless Steel made in the USA stoppers from Ruth Niles... they are pretty awesome and her mandrel and bit kit are great. I was worried about the pitting, as most will probably go to friends.

 

[TonyL]

I just visited her site...lots of nice stuff. I would love it if she made pen kits!

 

[wyone]

I thought the same thing Tony. Plus she is VERY nice and VERY fast in shipment. I had no clue what I was needing to buy and had a series of emails back and forth and she was VERY fast in response and VERY helpful. I also have to say, the quality of the stoppers is pretty awesome. I doubt I will buy a stopper from anyone else.

 

[hcpens]

Mitch, making a captive ring is tricky without a special tool, but I do it with just a parting tool and my carbide tools. Have broken many rings, on worthless wood first then as you get better at it, you can move over to good wood.

 

[wyone]

So you are telling me it does require skill and practice, so if I mess up not to worry. that actually does make me feel better. I am thinking.. plan the stopper design for NOT having the captive ring.. then attempt it and if I mess it up.. then I can go back to the basic stopper.

Thank you.. sincerely..

 

[Band Saw Box]

I use WTF on mine. If they beads and coves I use a single action airbrush to spray the WTF works great.

 

[dogcatcher]

I do one coat of teak oil, let dry for 48 hours and a coat of spar varnish. Spar is an outside finish, one of the best for boats, if it can handle a boat, a bottle stopper is a piece of cake.