finish for box

[glycerine]

I'm making a small jewelry box and would like advise on finishes. I don't really know the difference between lacquers, polyeurethanes and whatever else is out there. But I think I want to sand and polish the finish to a high gloss (or spray on a high gloss without having to sand). What are the advantages or disadvantages to the different wood finishes that are available? Any suggestions? If the wood type makes a difference, the box will have wenge, lacewood, zebrawood, two THIN strips of aluminum and probably maple.

 

[KenV]

Sounds like you are looking to an acrylic or lacquer finish well leveled and rubbed out - and a well sanded surface goes with that. Zebra wood I have uses tends to be a bit coarse grained and leveling the surface may require some extra effort.

 

[glycerine]

Sounds like you are looking to an acrylic or lacquer finish well leveled and rubbed out - and a well sanded surface goes with that. Zebra wood I have uses tends to be a bit coarse grained and leveling the surface may require some extra effort.

Do you mean the grain should be filled first, like with CA or something? Or just that I might need more coats of lacquer or acrylic to get a flat surface?

 

[fernhills]

The last box i did i used Minwax WOP, a few coats and then finished it up with regular Minwax poly brushed on the standard way, a few coats. Using the WOP was easier to get a finish in the hard to get places.

 

[glycerine]

Thanks for the info. I picked up some things at the woodcraft yesterday, so we'll see what the final outcome is...