Turkey Call Finish

[Scoony]

Asking down here cause I am trying to get a good finish on turned items.

I am making a run of turkey calls and currently at the finishing stages of the first one. This particular one is Brazilian Walnut and I sealed the wood with Minwax antique oil. I had a rattle can of gloss lacquer and put on a few coats, sanded it on the lathe, then put on a few more coats. Really needs to be rubbed out, or sanded down and started over.

I have read somewhere else that Lacquer is not a good finish in the field as bug juice will eat right through it.

I have a can of General Finishes Clear Poly (waterbased) from a table project. Worked great spraying and using a foam brush on that table. This stuff is very durable and I am considering trying on the turkey call..

How would you apply it? Off the lathe, or on the lathe spinning?

What would you rub it out with?

What other finishes should I consider?

Looking for something easy, but durable, able to stand up to sweat, grime, and bug spray.

[chips ahoy]

I use wipe on poly on duck calls. Do it off the lathe, let it dry and apply a few more coats. Then go through all the grits of micromesh. Add a couple more coats of poly and beal buff.

Mel

[Sawdustd]

Since you already have the General Finish on hand, I'd use that. Its durable. As an alternative, you might consider Shellawax but a jar is $30. See the discussion in the Hand tools forum. Provides a beautiful right on the lathe.

[chips ahoy]

Shellawax is fine but the finish won't last. Has a nice shine when buffed but dulls with use.

Mel