When using a wire to burn a ring around a bowl, by the time the bowl is completed, the black ring has lost its blackness and the grove has become filled with wax or buffing compound.  Does anybody have a solution for this?  I haven't had any luck with pens and ink and I can't re-burn the rings because I've usually removed the tenon an the means for returning the bowl. Thanks. Ned

Ned - I suggest you try a different finish method and also be sure to clean that grove out when doing any sanding.

Look for General Finishes - I suggest you try their woodturners finish.  This is water based, so sanding after the first two coats will be needed (320 and 400 grit).  Build the finish for 4-6 + coats, sanding with 600 or 0000 steel wool until the final two coats.  Again, be SURE all dust is removed before applying a finish.  This water based finish dries quickly (after the first coat that I let go for a day).

I would suggest that you also make some soft chucks, a way to re-mount your bowl on the lathe without the need for a tenon. On the headstock side use a vacuum chuck like holder, on the tail use a soft touch.

First two photos of a foam covered flat plate "chuck" for the headstock and the last two are of a "soft touch" that threads onto you tail live center.