Coytee Posted December 23, 2018 Share Posted December 23, 2018 Just wondering when you are doing something out of wood (not really speaker related though I guess it could be) None the less, you are making ??? salt shakers, box, furniture, toys....anything out of wood. Forget painting it.... when you urethane it, how do you decide what gloss factor to use? Do certain woods lend themselves to a specific sheen or is it all "personal"? (personal is bad choice for me because I'm not very artistic nor creative... it's better for me if I can follow instructions such as "dark woods always work better with higher gloss and lighter woods a semi-gloss..) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Whitlow Posted December 23, 2018 Share Posted December 23, 2018 Whatever you like.Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coytee Posted December 23, 2018 Author Share Posted December 23, 2018 Yeah, but if you were as (un)creative as I am.... it would be nice to know if there are some generalities.... Just got finished putting a semi-gloss on some Birdseye Maple.... wondering now if a gloss would have looked better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldtimer Posted December 23, 2018 Share Posted December 23, 2018 Full gloss always looks cheesy Semi gloss can work depending on application Satin is usually the best choice 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris A Posted December 23, 2018 Share Posted December 23, 2018 Richard, take a look at this for full gloss finishes on wood: https://www.avsforum.com/forum/155-diy-speakers-subs/1601297-diy-guide-high-gloss-piano-black.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coytee Posted December 24, 2018 Author Share Posted December 24, 2018 Nice & thank you! (and boy, he does some fancy work!!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
totalcomfort Posted December 24, 2018 Share Posted December 24, 2018 I use semi gloss for lighter woods and gloss for darker woods mostly. Pick what YOU like!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
314carpenter Posted December 24, 2018 Share Posted December 24, 2018 In modern furniture, finish of any sort is either non existant or very thin. You will not find a high gloss finish in furniture made in 20+ years. The more matte a finish is, the more it will obscure the wood details underneath. The more glossy a finish the more it will reflect light and that can also make it hard to see the wood underneath it depending on the light and angle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJkizak Posted December 24, 2018 Share Posted December 24, 2018 There are some woods that don't like any urethane (I use it all the time) like manzanita, osage orange, purple heart, heavy southern pine, and hardwoods, etc. You can use spray shellac as the filler then sand it off and polish with wax. I did do some high gloss on purple heart but it was a hassle, wet sand with 600 and end up at 1200. Older people tend to view very high gloss wood as plastic, and it does feel like plastic. JJK 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coytee Posted December 24, 2018 Author Share Posted December 24, 2018 hmmm... I urethaned a box I made for my wife's niece. Box was purple heart. Seemed to take it ok.... Will there be some longer term ramifications? Never mind that the niece decided she wanted to put unicorn stickers all over it after I gave it to her But....this is our favorite niece who puts up with spinal bifida and though she's probably pushing 30 physical years.... is mentally much younger. So, if she wants to augment something with unicorn stickers, I'd be happy to drive her in the (handicapped) van to the store to buy more stickers!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJkizak Posted December 24, 2018 Share Posted December 24, 2018 3 minutes ago, Coytee said: hmmm... I urethaned a box I made for my wife's niece. Box was purple heart. Seemed to take it ok.... Will there be some longer term ramifications? Never mind that the niece decided she wanted to put unicorn stickers all over it after I gave it to her But....this is our favorite niece who puts up with spinal bifida and though she's probably pushing 30 physical years.... is mentally much younger. So, if she wants to augment something with unicorn stickers, I'd be happy to drive her in the (handicapped) van to the store to buy more stickers!! It will be OK. The urethane just doesn't stick as hard as on other woods. It's just not as resistant to screwdriver scrapes, hammer hits, fingernail scratches. You will be OK with it. My website has a picture in the vase portfolio of a mirror finish on purple heart. http://www.jjkizart.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave A Posted December 24, 2018 Share Posted December 24, 2018 I am with Oldtimer on this. My favorite finish is from Satin Spar polyurethane. Does not show smudges and fingerprints like glossy nor reflect lights so starkly. Still quite transparent and all the wood detail shows through. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Travis In Austin Posted December 24, 2018 Moderators Share Posted December 24, 2018 Gloss and Matte 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvel Posted December 25, 2018 Share Posted December 25, 2018 A lot of guitar companies use satin or matte finishes to hids fingerprints on camera (photos and tv). If not on the tops it is pjt on the necks so you fretting hand can slide easier when sweaty. Bruce Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave A Posted December 25, 2018 Share Posted December 25, 2018 On 12/24/2018 at 8:22 AM, JJkizak said: It will be OK. The urethane just doesn't stick as hard as on other woods. It's just not as resistant to screwdriver scrapes, hammer hits, fingernail scratches. James do you have any experience with Mulberry, Black Locust, Persimmon or Osage Orange? PM me if you do please. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YK Thom Posted December 25, 2018 Share Posted December 25, 2018 On 12/23/2018 at 6:08 PM, JJkizak said: There are some woods that don't like any urethane (I use it all the time) like manzanita, osage orange, purple heart, heavy southern pine, and hardwoods, etc. You can use spray shellac as the filler then sand it off and polish with wax. I did do some high gloss on purple heart but it was a hassle, wet sand with 600 and end up at 1200. Older people tend to view very high gloss wood as plastic, and it does feel like plastic. JJK I have been kicking around the idea of revarnishing my speakers. They are rosewood veneer and matte. My AV unit and pretty much all my furniture is semigloss. Will a veneer take a coat or two with half decent results? Would sanding be required prior to application? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJkizak Posted December 26, 2018 Share Posted December 26, 2018 17 hours ago, YK Thom said: I have been kicking around the idea of revarnishing my speakers. They are rosewood veneer and matte. My AV unit and pretty much all my furniture is semigloss. Will a veneer take a coat or two with half decent results? Would sanding be required prior to application? If possible find a small place on your speakers to do some experimenting. I don't anticipate any problems with your speakers but if there is varnish I would sand first. JJK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YK Thom Posted December 26, 2018 Share Posted December 26, 2018 If there is varnish it is the flattest matte I have seen. Love the colour and pattern of the veneer and rub Old English Lemon Oil on them a couple times a year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldtimer Posted December 26, 2018 Share Posted December 26, 2018 If there is varnish the oil will take it right off to the stain. We have an antique chair we oiled and the arms lost the luster as the varnish disappeared. Over time though rubbing oil into them has created an oiled finish so it's all good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldtimer Posted December 26, 2018 Share Posted December 26, 2018 If you are talking Klipsch speakers, they usually tell you the type of finish. I am not familiar with any of their modern speakers being anything other than satin, oil, or raw. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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