Different project, same idea - finishing a Christmas tree

[bradleyheathhays]

I'll be attempting one of these spiral pine Christmas Trees for the first time, and if it gets my customer's attention I'd like to be able to crank some of these out. This picture comes from the plans I bought off Etsy. I'd like to go for this kind of look, keeping it natural and accenting the wood's natural character. Is there a finish that would achieve this look and work well in production?

 

[Tony]

I would say a spray poly or lacquer would be best.

 

[JonathanH]

Spray shellac if you desire super glossy. Otherwise satin pre-catalyzed lacquer will do well. Looks good and dries quickly.

 

[Nature Man]

Unique and fascinating project. Please be sure to give us a periodic update on your progress. Chuck

 

[bradleyheathhays]

Thanks for the recommendations guys. I'm just getting around to having the parts cut out now, so I'll be testing finishes soon.

Does anyone have an opinion about using a hard-drying oil? I got the suggestions from another forum.

 

[SENC]

Does anyone have an opinion about using a hard-drying oil?

Like tung oil? I love the stuff and it would be great, but you couldn't bang them out quickly (unless you made the bits in mass and soaked them) and would need considerable cure time.

 

[DLJeffs]

I just picked up a can of clear spray on shellac. I used it before on a box for a set of carving knives that had ebony inlay on a holly lid and I wanted to seal the holly so black dust from sanding the ebony wouldn't stain it. I was really impressed at the finish. Very thin, clear as glass, no yellowing of the holly. I don't know how durable shellac would be but you could spray a lot of trees quickly. The can says this dries in under 5 minutes (most shellac does because the solvent is typically alcohol). You might check it out.

 

[bradleyheathhays]

Thanks for the warning SENC. Tung oil was the suggestion, specifically from Lee Valley. Looks great but just not what my process needs.

Your suggestion of spray-on shellac, Mr. Jeffs, sounds interesting. A 5-minute dry time is definitely appealing. Do you have a particular product in mind?

 

[bradleyheathhays]

Is it possible to spray this stuff from a gravity-fed HVLP sprayer with a 30 gal air compressor? The direction sheet doesn't mention it can be sprayed. Also, if it can, any advice on how to do it is appreciated. The only thing I've read so far is to dilute it with about 25% lacquer thinner before shooting.

 

[SENC]

No idea, but Watco makes a spray-on lacquer.

 

[larry mercier]

Is there a finish that would achieve this look and work well in production?

I suggest Danish oil to make the wood colors pop.

 

[bradleyheathhays]

I suggest Danish oil to make the wood colors pop.

Right on. Thanks for the suggestion Larry.