Finishing a Pot

[Hayseedboy]

All,

Well, I have made "some" progress since my last post.  Have turned my second pot (prototype XY) and actually did install the slate in this one.  :) 

My question is about finishing the wood.  There is a tremendously overwhelming amount of information on this site.  Great information but I am a bit confused so I thought I would ask it here.

I would like to be able to use BLO to make the grain POP on the pots but am concerned that it might interfere with the stability of the glue (marine goop) somewheres down the road.  Am I over thinking it?  Will the oil breakdown the glue on the glued surface?

Also, what kind of finish should I apply on top of the BLO?  Shellac?  Lacquer?

Thanks in Advance,
Larry

p.s.  this last one I did sounds like a Jake going thru puberty.... a little high pitched.... or maybe it's just the accoustics in my garage :)

[VECtor Calls]

I've come to the conclusion that I'm going to use Spar Urethane from here on out.  I've used several others that are not as durable.

Pot calls gain a lot of moisture on humid mornings in the spring woods.  You've got to keep from that happening.

Parker

[misfire]

I use BLO on a lot of calls if the wood is worth the hassle. What I do is rub the BLO on with a cloth, making sure NOT to get any on the lip where my calling surface will be. I also put it on the INSIDE of the call as well to help offset any swelling or contraction fo the wood due to humidity. I dont soak a pot in BLO or tung oil just to make sure that lip stays dry and not give the oil a chance to interfere with the glue

[pullit]

I have made two pot calls and the finish looks like crap. I do not remember what I used but I think it was a spray poly.
I have one or two pots left and was thinking the next time I did one I might try tung oil.

Would this be better or worse that BLO?

[VECtor Calls]

 ;D  Pullit......join the club!   ;D  I'm one of the founding members!   ;D  Finishing a pot call makes me beat my head against the wall harder than anything else in call making.

Parker

[justannie]

I use spar on my pots. If you use it, realize finishing the pots won't be a one or two day thing. I probably over do mine, but I put a minimum of 5 coats on. So, if the humidity is right, that's a minimum of 5 days with drying between coats. I coat my calls 100%. Sound holes are often neglected and, to me, that leaves wood open to drawing moisture.

[dogcatcher]

I use a poly mix so I can dip the call for the first coat.  Like Justannie, I feel the call is not really finished if the sound holes have no finish in them.  Dip the first, then at least 2 coats of hand rubbed wipe on poly, 72 hour drying time and then a buffing.

Marvin

[pullit]

I use a poly mix so I can dip the call for the first coat.  Like Justannie, I feel the call is not really finished if the sound holes have no finish in them.  Dip the first, then at least 2 coats of hand rubbed wipe on poly, 72 hour drying time and then a buffing.

Marvin

I am dumb, what are you mixing your poly with? Do you get drips and runs after dipping? if so, do you sand them out before you apply the other coats or sand them at the end?

thanks

[Braz]

If you go to the General Call Making Discussions area, you will find some topics that cover that area quite well. I suggest that rather than an answer here, because, while you will get an answer, you will miss out on all the discussion that we have had on that subject. You can learn more there. If you still need more info, please post back and we will be more than happy to answer all your questions. Just want you to be as fully informed as possible.  :D

[Heirloom]

You have alot of great anwers here. I use spar poly as well. I think Braz is right though, there is even more info where he suggests.

[West Augusta]

I mainly use a semi gloss poly.  4 or 5 coats hand rubbed, then sand down to fill the grain, then two finish coats.

[misfire]

Using any oil, whether it be tung oil or BLO, will really bring out the grain in a piece of wood. I use it on close to 90% of the calls I build.

[Gobbleking57]

I use BLO on all of my strikers I've turned to bring out the grain really well. I like it myself. Can't speak about pots just yet.