Best Finish for Holly

[bobthebuilder]

I Have just received some holly blanks but have no idea what the best finish would be as I want them to stay as white as possible. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[DaveO]

CA has worked well for me. It's optically clear so it shouldn't impart any color to the Holly.
Dave[]

 

[LostintheWoods]

What he said. Its a good idea, especially with holly, to wipe the blanks off frequently with denatured alcohol during sanding, as the process will tend to leave gray marks if left there.

 

[leehljp]

I use straight CA also.

On using oils - this gives them a more "ivory" look that some people like. I have added a coat of BLO on one occasion and a coat of Tung Oil on another but they give it a tad of a yellow tint to me. If you want to do this, sand one side of a blank real smooth (or maybe all four sides) and try a sample finish to see which one you like best -

CA only
CA over BLO
Lacquer
Poly
Other . .

I do this on occasion to see what I like best. Of course the finish tone will still be different when you turn it but you will get an idea the direction that each finish takes you. Choose what pleases your eyes best.

CA and also water based poly keep them the whitest IMHO.

 

[bobthebuilder]

Thanks for the advise, I'll give the CA a go and hope for the best, may the pen gods smile upon me.

 

[ahoiberg]

anyone else ever get really light (as in weight) holly blanks? seems like it'll make a feather of a pen... and i like some heft[]