Open Grain Finishing Help

[mdedon]

Started turning pens about a month ago. Been having problems with finishing open grain woods. Seems like there is always dust in the grain that I thought got blown out but didn't. After finishing (ShellaWax) it really messes up the completed pen. Any tips/tricks to help?

[PaulD]

I don't use that particular finishing approach, but the use of a sanding sealer before the Shellawax would probably help your problem. I prefer Mylands sanding sealer when I use it.

[pops-shop]

As an aside, be careful what you use to "clean up the pen". You don't want to use anything that will implant any material, wax, or other material on the naked wood. (i.e. tack cloth)

[Gunny]

A lot depends on the wood that you're turning...
I have that problem with red oak in particular and my solution has been to use a stain that compliments the wood (walnut is pretty effective).
In other cases I've used water under pressure (like a water pic... takes some time and has varying degrees of success.)
Mostly I avoid open grain woods with the exception of Irish Bog Oak. Bog oak won't present a problem because the sawdust looks like coal dust and it doesn't contrast with the wood.