Gummy BLO

[Jim Podsedly]

I am in the process of finishing a cherry and maple desk.

The top is solid cherry and wrapped with a 1" band of maple.

I put one coat of BLO with no issues. I applied the second coat of BLO and the cherry is smooth but the maple is gummy. It has been 2 days of drying time and still gummy.

What can i do to make the maple smooth and ready for shellac and then waterlox?

thanks,
Jim

[Howard Acheson]

Did you thoroughly wipe the BLO dry after letting it set on the wood for 15-20 minutes? Maple is a very non-porous wood and one application of BLO wiped fully dry is enough to get the coloring affect.

I would recommend wiping on some mineral spirits using some 4/0 steel wool or a grey scotchbrite pad. Immediately wipe the surface dry with paper towels. This should get the excess BLO off and when the surface is dry, you are ready to clearcoat. Give it 3-4 days to fully cure before applying your clearcoat.

On another point, why the shellac? It's not necessary if you are going to use Waterlox varnish. The varnish will go on right over the BLO.