2 best wood polish for turning

Wood polish for turning is a specialized product used in woodturning, a craft that involves shaping and creating objects out of wood on a lathe. Unlike nail polish, which is used for cosmetic purposes on nails, wood polish for turning serves to enhance the appearance and protect the surface of turned woodwork. Here are some key points about wood polish for turning:

Enhanced Appearance: Wood polish for turning is designed to bring out the natural beauty and grain patterns of the wood. It provides a glossy finish that highlights the colors and textures of the turned piece.
Types of Wood Polish for Turning:
- Wax-Based Polish: This type of polish is often preferred for woodturning. It is easy to apply, dries quickly, and provides a warm, satin finish. Wax-based polishes also offer a protective layer against moisture and dust.
- Oil-Based Polish: Some woodworkers may use oil-based finishes, like linseed oil or tung oil, for woodturning. These oils penetrate the wood and provide a deep, rich finish. However, they can take longer to dry and may require more maintenance.
- Shellac: Shellac is a natural resin that can be used as a finish for turned wood. It dries quickly and provides a durable, glossy finish. Shellac also offers some level of protection against moisture and scratches.
- Friction Polish: This is a blend of shellac and other substances that can be applied while the wood is still on the lathe. It dries quickly through friction generated by the turning process.
Application:
- Wood polish for turning is typically applied while the lathe is running. This allows for even distribution and a smooth finish.
- Apply the polish with a clean cloth, brush, or applicator, following the manufacturer's instructions.
- Buff the surface to achieve the desired level of shine and smoothness.
Drying Time:
- The drying time of wood polish for turning can vary depending on the type of polish and environmental conditions. Wax-based polishes tend to dry quickly, while oil-based finishes may take longer.
Maintenance:
- To maintain the finish, periodic reapplication may be necessary, especially for pieces that are frequently handled or exposed to environmental factors.
- Regular dusting and cleaning with a soft cloth can help preserve the polish and the wood.
Safety Precautions:
- Ensure proper ventilation when applying wood polish, especially if using products with strong fumes.
- Follow any safety recommendations provided by the manufacturer.
Environmental Considerations:
- Some wood polishes may contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Consider using environmentally-friendly or low-VOC options if this is a concern.

Remember, choosing the right wood polish for turning depends on factors like the type of wood, the desired finish, and personal preference.It's important to experiment and find the product that works best for your specific projects and style.

Below you can find our editor's choice of the best wood polish for turning on the market

High Friction Build Polish

Mylands

Based on 292 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Protect and preserve your work with a high gloss finish! After sanding your workpiece and applying Cellulose Sanding Sealer (#26713, sold separately), sand the sealer lightly when it is dry. Then apply small amount of High Build Friction Polish with a lint-free cotton cloth while the wood is turning. Once the desired build is achieved, finish with the edge of acarnuba wax stick (sold separately) and burnish with a dry cloth. 500mL.

This product cannot ship to a PO box. Delivery requires street address.
500ml bottle
Builds quickly, drying almost instantly, complementing the natural beauty of the wood
When used without a sealer, a smooth sheen results
When used with a cellulose sealer, a brilliant high gloss finish is easily attained

User questions & answers

Question:	How are results over acrylic or epoxy
Answer:	I think it works fine on anything. I use it occasionally on Acrylic pens and its fine. takes very very little when using it. On larger projects do not over apply.
Question:	Has anyone compared this to home made ob shine juice
Answer:	I use this all the time but have a friend that makes his own and has very good results. It works very well and provides an excellent shine. it is also easy to work with. I have compaired shine from both products and really cant see much of a difference I just dont like to mess with mixing the stuff.
Question:	Will this seal a wood bowl or do I need to apply anchorseal first and wait for it to dry
Answer:	NO, it does not seal anything! it only polishes, and it has to have heat from friction to work(woodturners love it). you can do it by hand if you press hard enough and create some friction :) to seal your bowl you gotta use the cellulose sanding sealer 1ST, sand from 120 all the way to 600 at least, THEN use the polish, or you'll see ALL of your expensive polish soak into the wood and do.....nothing lol so sand,cellulose sealer, sand to 600, then use it. anchorseal is best for sealing end grain of wood ffor drying to stop from cracking while drying. find some way to spin your bowl while applying if u can
Question:	will this leave a glossy, glass like finish or is it more like semi gloss. thank you
Answer:	I'm not sure that I would characterize it as glass-like, but it is closer to gloss than to semi-gloss.

Shellawax Liquid Friction Polish, 8.45 fl. oz. (250 ml)

Based on 92 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Put a beautiful and durable finish on your turned items with ease - ideal for pens!

Shellawax Liquid Friction Polish gives an instant shine to your woodturnings, or can be used to thin Shellawax Cream for use on large woodturnings, flat wood and carvings. It's the fastest and easiest-to-use polish on the market, giving an instant shine to all timbers. It is used with the lathe running, and, under heat (created through friction), it is fused into the timber. Dries instantly, and can be handled immediately after application. Can be mixed with Shellawax Cream as an extender. This allows for better use of these products on large turned work and for hand-rubbed work.

Please note that these items can only be shipped to addresses within the continental United States by UPS Ground only.

User questions & answers

Question:	Can this be used for a table top with a buffing wheel? Would there be sufficent friction to obtain good results
Answer:	My guess would be no. I use it for woodturning and in order to get a great finish I set the lathe to around 2000 rpm. That's the speed I need to generate enough heat for the shellawax to bind to the wood and buff up. I don't think you can generate sufficient friction with a buffing wheel. But then again, I've never tried.
Question:	I just want to know does this work with epoxy resin i would like a nice shine on my items cause i dont wood turn
Answer:	It works on wood, and epoxy resin. It’s an excellent choice for getting a natural looking glossy sheen. Since it’s a friction polish, and you’re not using a lathe, there still needs to be a method of brisk polishing, whether by machine or by hand. Also, the surfaces of your project item must be properly prepared to yield the best results. I would sand up through the grits to at least 800. The smoother the surface, the greater the gloss will be. Hope this helps.
Question:	Does this item have a shelf life
Answer:	I have a bottle of Shellwax which is one year old. I keep it sealed tight. As far as actual shelf life I am not certain.
Question:	How durable is this for pens? i am only concerned about long term durability when properly applied. i currentll use ca glue
Answer:	“Stick” with the ca glue... This is not a suitable replacement it’s not even similar.