Art of the beetle and questions

[Paul Williams]

This is my first bowl from ambrosia maple. Very interesting patterns. Note the dark areas in between the patterns on the end grain side. I did not notice these before finishing. I wet sanded with walnut oil. The more oil I put on the darker the grey. Is this likely dark sawdust being drug into the end grain? If that is it, can I wait for the oil to set up and then re-sand or take light cuts to get rid of the dark areas? Then do I seal with shellac before sanding? Can I still use the walnut oil finish after the shellac?

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[Randy Red Bemont]

I can't help you with your questions because I don't know the answers. I just want to say that ambrosia maple bowl is beautiful. You did a great job.

Red

[John Keeton]

Paul, I am not sure what causes it, but I have several pieces of Ambrosia Maple that have gray areas - some that are much darker and broader coverage than what you have. I actually like the look with BLO applied over it - creates a very rich look IMO.

I would not apply walnut oil over shellac. The shellac will seal the wood and prevent the walnut oil from penetrating, which is what an oil finish is intended to do. If it is a functional bowl, I would leave it with just the walnut oil finish. If you intend it to be an accent piece for display, then shellac OVER the oil once it has cured would make a good seal coat for a film finish such as WOP.

[Matt Newton]

I think it's just the fungus showing up under a thin layer of wood. The piece looks very nice the way it is.

[Paul Williams]

Thanks for the comments. It is meant to be a functional bowl which is why I used the walnut oil in the first place. I put on another coat of oil after taking the photo and it just got darker. Perhaps it would be best to let the oil set up and then buff before I try anything else. I have another piece of the maple. I will turn something similar and try another finish to see if I get the grey with something else.

[Michelle Rich]

the grey areas are quite normal to this wood. you cannot sand them out. Whether you choose to eat out of it is up to you. If it were me, I probably would, as I just turned it and sanded it, and got the dust in my hair & up my nose, and on my clothes, and all over my shop. Why not eat it?

[Dan Jechura]

I turn alot of Ambrosia Maple and use most of the bowls I turn. I finish them with general Fishes " Salade finish"

[William Bachtel]

I also like it the way it is. General Finishes are great finishes.