Question about burnishing a maple stock

[webradbury]

do you burnish before or after the oil finish? I'm using vinegar stain and BLO. I tried a test piece after stain and before oil and one after stain and oil. I couldn't tell a difference other than burnishing after oil seemed to squeeze out excess oil. Also the burnishing process with an antler tine left ridges and lines on the wood. What did I do wrong?

[Ed Wenger]

You should burnish after staining, before you apply a finish varnish.  Without seeing the antler, I would guess it isn't completely smooth, thus leaving the ridges & lines.   You might want to file the antler tip to make it smooth, then sand to a very fine finish.  Hope that helps......


            Ed

[webradbury]

Yes thank you.