Hello gentlemen. I have been turning domestic hardwoods for my grips, and i think it adds a nice touch, something different than the usual cork. I have been using tru oil for the finish and like the results, but recently have bought and turned some exotic woods including cocobolo. I would like to know how you guys finish these high oil woods as I have heard they resist the oil from curing. Feel free to add your finish produst for the domestics as well. I'm always open to new ideas. Thanks for your responses.

I turned a Cocobolo handle as well as a Black Palm handle last year. Just before applying the finish they need to be wiped down with denatured alcohol (I think that's what I used). Then apply your finish. I used Classic Rod Coat epoxy.

Be sure to apply your finish soon after wiping down so the wood doesn't have a chance to excrete any more oil. Once your first coat of finish is dry you should be able to apply additional coats with no problem.

Thanks,
Chad Huderle

Huderle Custom Rods
Prior Lake, MN

I use a gel urethane finish and apply on the lathe. Many use CA. Some soak in alcohol. There are various ways as long as you don't use oil finishes which just won't soak in.
Here are 45 previous posts on the subjhect that a search (finish oily wood ALL DATES) here came uop with [rodbuilding.org]

Mike (Southgate, MI)
If I don't want to, I don't have to and nobody can make me (except my wife) cuz I'm RETIRED!!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/02/2009 01:23PM by Mike Barkley.

Cocobolo can be buffed to a high, durable shine in its natural state. Or...

Prepare an alcohol bath. Use solvent (denatured) alcohol and soak the cocobolo piece in it for about 30 minutes. Then empty the container and put in fresh alcohol and do it once more.

Let the piece dry overnight and finish with your choice of top coating. Tru-Oil is excellent.

You will notice that pieces given such an alcohol bath will appear much lighter in color as you're removing the resins from them. The application of top coating will darken the piece just a bit. Many feel that the figure of the wood is given a much better appearance by the alcohol bath. It brightens the colors quite a bit.

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I really like Tom's alcohol bath/tru-oil combination. It's time consuming, but it sure does make the cocobolo look great.

I just finished a non-rod making cocobolo and it buffed to a beautiful high gloss just going through sand paper up to 2000, then finishing with white and red rouge and a buffing wheel. It looks like a shiny finish coat was applied.

Just to provide an alternative. You may have to buff up again occasionally but it seems pretty durable.

Terry

It is - the natural oils protect it from the weather.

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