Question about finishing green wood

[JimB]

I've turned green wood bowls in the past but I have always rough turned them and let them dry. Once dry I then final turn them, sand and finish.

My question is this. When turning green wood (not pens) to final shape without letting it dry, when do you apply a finish? Do you finish it when it is still wet or do you let it dry (and warp) and then finish it. I usually finish with poly but sometimes use lacquer, tungsten oil or salad bowl finish.

Thanks.

 

[Cwalker935]

I usually turn, sand and finish at the same time. If its particularly wet,
I turn it as thin as I am comfortable with and wait overnight before sanding. Turning it thin and avoiding the heart usually avoids cracking. I typically finish with salad bowl finish or a mixture of olive oil and beeswax. I don't use a hard shell finish since it might crack as the bowl cures.

 

[KenV]

If you do not want to use an oil finish --

I turn thin and rough sand then let it move. Knots may develop some cracks, but if the pith+ some if the center-of-log wood is gone, the cracks should be small or none.

I then hand sand through the grits to develop a good surface and color, and then go to finish cycle. Power sanding does not work on bowls once they have moved and hand sanding tends to tedious.

 

[JimB]

Thanks Cody and Ken. You have given me some good options and info.

 

[TellicoTurning]

Ken and Cody have already given some good answers and mine would be along same line... I turn bowls to finished size, wet or dry, and if they're still very wet, I have an old microwave in my shop that I'll cycle the bowl through for a few cycles until it gets dryer... sometimes I'll dunk it in a DNA bath for a day, then let it dry for a few days... I do tend to leave bowl walls a little thicker than some.. maybe 3/8 to 1/2 inch thick. I do get some warp, but not enough to impede sales.

 

[Cwalker935]

Depending on the wood and dryness, I do get some warping. My wife's favorite bowl is a large cherry bowl that I turned very wet. It is significantly out of shape and is twisted in several directions with no cracks. In short it has character which I think makes it one of best pieces. Its all a matter of preference.