Finishing Arizona desert ironwood

[Hengelo_77]

What is the best way to finish Arizona desert ironwood, polishing only or do I use an oil?
Till what gritt do you sand it?

 

[G L Drew]

Sand to a 400 grit and buff with white compound. This wood is so dense that it will not take oils or wax.

 

[deker]

Ironwood will reward patience in finishing. As Gerry said above, sand to 400 and buff (I use white rouge). You'll get more chatoyance out of the wood with higher grit sanding. If you have the patience to sand to 1000 grit before you buff (lightly!) you'll get more shimmer out of the grain.

-d

 

[SBuzek]

That's where I usually go to,800-1000 grit working lightly, buff with a loose muslin buff and the grain will dance in the sun.

 

[Hengelo_77]

Thnx
I have up to 2500grit paper. Is it worth going so high?

 

[Robert Mayo]

Thnx
I have up to 2500grit paper. Is it worth going so high?

Shure it is give it a light buff with white rouge and watch it shimmer!

 

[mdoyle]

Hengelo 77
One thing noone has mentioned is WHY it's important to buff ironwood LIGHTLY... If you press too hard you will orangepeel the finish of the wood. Ask me how I know Also I like to use teak oil first, yeah I know some people say it won't take it but if you are patient it will take at least some and that helps IMO. It will take the oil a lot better at 220grit than 2500 so do it first.

Matt Doyle

 

[Steve Hayden]

I sand to 1200 grit, buff with white rouge and finish with with hard Carnuba wax, burnt in (on a linen wheel) with the buffer.

Even teak oil will cause some darkening to the brown portions.