Need advice on finishing a veneer cocobolo coffee table top

[gnachman]

Any thoughts on finishing a cobocolo coffee table top? I've read that most finishes won't cure well on this wood because it's so oily. I'm considering wiping it down with acetone to remove surface oil, putting down a coat or two of shellac, and then Behlen's Rock Hard varnish over the shellac (I think the varnish will stick to shellac, whereas it would not stick to oily wood). Will this work? As more oil comes out of the wood, will it ruin the finish?

I want to use a protective finish because it's a coffee table--I know a lot of folks like to use just wax on cocobolo, but that won't work for this application.

Thanks!

[Jamie Buxton]

Do you have any leftover veneer? Try your proposed finishing scheme on scrap. Then you'll really know what will happen to the table.

[Bob Hallowell]

I make alot of cocobloo peppermills, I wipe them down with dna then put a coat of shelac on them after that most finishes cure fine.

Bob

[Dave Anderson NH]

Your approach is the correct one. I use Cocobolo in some of my tool handles and 2 barrier coats of Sealcoat or a dewaxed blonde shellac works just fine before using any varnish variety. If you don't put down the barrier coat, it will stay gummy forever..... however long a time that is.

[gnachman]

No concerns about the oil coming out and ruining the finish in 5-10 years? That's what I'm worried will happen even if a test piece comes out well.