What is a suitable finish for Blackheart Sassafras?

Hello Everyone,

I am making a pendulum clock out of Blackheart Sassafras, and am upto the finishing stage. What do people recommend for use on Blackheart?

I am after a glossy finish, but not too reflective (if that makes sense). That is, I want to highlight the black bits, but not have the clock reflecting alot of light off it.

All I've got at the moment is a tin of Cabot's Satin Gloss, Ubeaut Shellawax Glow, and EEE Ultra Shine.

Your help is much appreciated. I'll post some pics when its finished.

Cheers,
Nathan.

Hi Nathan,

I've found Organoil and Sass go well together. However, rubbing the oil in on a clock may be more difficult than it's worth.

Other suggestions:
UBeaut's white shellac
or
Wipe on Poly

cheers
Wendy

If the piece has strong colour differences IMO an oil finish will just exaggerate them and darken the light timber unpleasantly.

I'd go with Wendy's suggestion of white shellac, with a topcoat of wax. For Huon and other light timbers I use nitrocellulose sealer with wax over the top but that's mainly since I have the sealer already and because I like to start with a flat lustre and control the degree of gloss with the wax.

HTH.

I agree with earlier posts. Use either white or super blonde shellac. Good luck!

FWIW the pic is of spalted BH sassy ... finished with n/c sanding sealer and a light wax coat.

Anything more glossy in my view would just detract from the figure.

EEE and ubeaut traditional wax.
Why not ask the boss man ?

I have used our sponsors Hard Shellac polished with EEE Ultrashine and Trad Wax.
Gives a great sheen and highlights the colours