visual flint
Hey everyone, I have a question about finishing very detailed woodworking projects. I’m relatively new to woodworking and got into making Japanese Kumiko. Last winter, I managed to complete a small Kumiko piece and learned that Kumiko is traditionally left unfinished, as the planed pieces already have a very smooth surface.
While the surface was indeed very smooth, I was worried about the lack of protection. Living in central Portugal, the winter is humid and within four days mildew was growing on my project.
Now that it’s still warm and relatively dry here, I want to get back into Kumiko but prepare myself for winter already. That’s why I’m asking you guys how I could protect my Kumiko.
I’m a noob but I do know a bit about oil finishes, shellac and varnish, and the sanding, scuffing and buffing (with wax) that goes along with it. But with very detailed woodworking like Kumiko, sanding doesn’t seem realistic, it seems impossible to get into all the corners and crevices.
Every finishing tutorial that I’ve seen on YouTube sands the wood before applying a finish, but wouldn’t it be possible to, for example, apply some BLO and then some very runny, diluted shellac to the Kumiko pieces? The tutorials say that sanding is necessary to ensure an even absorption and opening of the pores, but with my Kumiko I’ll be working with Basswood, which has a very uniform and fine grain. Wouldn’t an oil finish like BLO be runny enough to penetrate the tilia sufficiently to already give the Kumiko the protection it needs? And would shellac really not adhere to that?
I’m curious for your input.
deep turret
stark zealot