Should I finish both sides of the jitas?

[Big Country Bonsai]

I’m thinking of just finishing one side of these from both a practical use point of view but also to save time and material. I’m having to sand these by hand and it’s already taking a bit of time. If anyone was interested in one would you require both sides be finished? Do you like a matte finish or glossy finish? Please give your response below.

 

[PerryB]

I have built and finished a lot of architectural woodwork and cabinetry, and just a bit of furniture. I can't imagine not finishing all sides of a piece of furniture---at least to seal it against moisture. In the case of jitas, I would want the bottom sanded and sealed also to protect the table that it will rest on. Sealing it also protects against warping and crazing.

 

[stewarjm192]

I’ll jump on the @PerryB bandwagon. As a woodworker who makes many jita and stands, you don’t have any clue the environment your work will end up in. I keep my shop at 50% humidity for my luthier work, so all of my projects start right in the middle for environment, but I always finish all sides of my jita. I may put less effort into the “bottom” for sanding purposes, but it needs to be sealed from the environment. If not, you have once side freely exchanging moisture and the other not, which is a recipe for cracks and warping


In terms of finish gloss, I’ve found most of my clients like a finish for bonsai stands/jita somewhere in the middle of pure matte and high gloss. A semi gloss finish will do it, but it depends on what your using

 

[Big Country Bonsai]

I’ll jump on the @PerryB bandwagon. As a woodworker who makes many jita and stands, you don’t have any clue the environment your work will end up in. I keep my shop at 50% humidity for my luthier work, so all of my projects start right in the middle for environment, but I always finish all sides of my jita. I may put less effort into the “bottom” for sanding purposes, but it needs to be sealed from the environment. If not, you have once side freely exchanging moisture and the other not, which is a recipe for cracks and warping


In terms of finish gloss, I’ve found most of my clients like a finish for bonsai stands/jita somewhere in the middle of pure matte and high gloss. A semi gloss finish will do it, but it depends on what your using

Very good info from both of you! This is my first time making anything like this so I’m a bit ignorant and I have never bought a jita. Do you indicate which side is the bottom with a signature or anything? Or it’s just obvious that the more finished side is the “top”

 

[stewarjm192]

Very good info from both of you! This is my first time making anything like this so I’m a bit ignorant and I have never bought a jita. Do you indicate which side is the bottom with a signature or anything? Or it’s just obvious that the more finished side is the “top”

I used to sign the bottom of mine, then I had someone suggest not to do the end user could decide what side they used, I figure you just put the dam tree over the signature….but who knows….I think general rule is NOT to sign

 

[The Barber]

Perhaps you could finish one side with a matte or satin finish and gloss on the other side if you want to leave options?

 

[Maiden69]

Both sides, below the main reason.

If not, you have once side freely exchanging moisture and the other not, which is a recipe for cracks and warping

I have never done a jitta, but done plenty of wood working and leaving a side exposed to the elements while the other one is sealed will definitely bring some form of warping in the future.

 

[leatherback]

Both sides.

The layout of the exhibition and the tree / accent on it may ask for the yita to be flipped on either side.

 

[jeremy_norbury]

I've only made two but I did not finish either underneath. I've seen no downside, tbh.

11309259 by Jerry Norbury, on Flickr