Refinishing shaving bowls

[mrmoonbeam]

I happened across some old defunct bowls here on the BST.
They were solid, but in bad shape, so I thought back to this thread and decided to do the same:
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?p=1696244

To kick it off, here they are untouched.

I began with scraping out as much of the soap as I could, in the sad hope I could use it to see what they hype was about.

The labels were partly on, partly off. I didn't want to damage them, so I didn't attempt to pry them off either.
I sanded the heck out of the bowls, and used some wood glue gently on the label edges that were coming up.
After working up to 320 grit and an ultrafine steel wool rubbing, they were as good and smooth as any purchased new.

I like to use a hand rubbed finish with equal parts Tung Oil, Mineral Spirits and Satin Polyurethane. I applied this directly on top of the labels as well, sealing them to the wood.

Voila!! Finished product with flash, without, and filled with Crabtree & Evelyn Nomad (shaved the sides a bit to fit)

 

[Dyl]

nice job!!!

that polyurethane really gives a nice sheen!

 

[LouieGrandie]

Very nice job.

 

[Thebigspendur]

I did the same exact thing with an old wood bowl I got off Eboy. In the old days the bowls were thicker and used better woods. The one I had was teak. I just used an oil finish and it came out fine.

 

[rambus007]

I like to use a hand rubbed finish with equal parts Tung Oil, Mineral Spirits and Satin Polyurethane. I applied this directly on top of the labels as well, sealing them to the wood.

This is a great idea. I have a similar wooden bowl as well and didn't know what to do with it so now I'll have another small project! I'm just curious how to applied the finish? You mention Tung oil, mineral spirits and satin polyurethane. The sain poly is the varnish right? Did you allow the tung oil to dry first or did you mix it all in? I'm not sure what mineral spirits so I'm hoping you can elaborate what it is and when/how you applied it. Thank you.

Terry

 

[rambus007]

Maybe I should have read the other posting first before I asked my questions hehe.

 

[binowatch]

If SWMBO objects you can quiclkly cover by saying you are making special covered salad bowls.

 

[pauls51]

Nice resto... I bet they stand out even moreso in your den now!

 

[beginish]

Very cool. What soap did you put in the bowls?

 

[mrmoonbeam]

Maybe I should have read the other posting first before I asked my questions hehe.

No worries. Equal parts = I mixed them together.
The Tung Oil brings out the warmth and glow of the wood, but takes a very long time to dry (1-2 weeks).
So by mixing in the poly (oil based) it speeds up the drying time and adds to the durability. The mineral spirits also helps with making it easier to apply and soak into the wood, as well as drying time.

Someone had also asked which soap I placed in it.
Crabtree & Evelyn Nomad.

I'm on the hunt on the BST for a spare or partly used DRHarris Marlborough for the other bowl...

 

[Nozzlejocky]

Great looking resto job there! I've oft wondered how they would turn out if a bit of elbow grease were to be applied. Now I know!

 

[FL shaver]

Nice restorations!

 

[haibane]

Great Job