Comments on: Natural Looking Finish? http://thewoodwhisperer.com/natural-looking-finish/ Education and Entertainment for the modern woodworker. Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:43:08 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: Loz http://thewoodwhisperer.com/natural-looking-finish/#comment-142125 Loz Wed, 08 Feb 2012 04:46:35 +0000 http://thewoodwhisperer.com/?p=4251#comment-142125 I too like the raw finish of wood, I have seen for sale in local furniture shop the raw look. They have a flier on how their wood is finished and they don't finish it with anything, they just sand it smooth, rough and or rustic looking, using recycled timber. They suggest u may like to spray it with a water protectant spray ( jist like one u spray on ur furniture or shoes) but also give u suggestions on how to mop up spills. I too like the raw finish of wood, I have seen for sale in local furniture shop the raw look. They have a flier on how their wood is finished and they don’t finish it with anything, they just sand it smooth, rough and or rustic looking, using recycled timber. They suggest u may like to spray it with a water protectant spray ( jist like one u spray on ur furniture or shoes) but also give u suggestions on how to mop up spills.

]]> By: Tim TAN http://thewoodwhisperer.com/natural-looking-finish/#comment-39521 Tim TAN Tue, 27 Jan 2009 20:42:30 +0000 http://thewoodwhisperer.com/?p=4251#comment-39521 HI guys : This is interesting. Everybody I have talked to face to face has always liked the warm color of oil finishes; some like the amberish tone of tung oil, while others prefer the slightly yellowish tone of linseed oil and varnish. If nothing else, some will use blonde shellac to impart a light golden tone to liven things up. For me, I absolutely hate staining and believe in letting the wood speak for itself. However, I do love the light golden color that Zinsser shellac sealcoat imparts. For oils, I always use the linseed oil / polyurethane blend for the warm look and natural tone. Tung oil is too orange for my taste. This is the first time I am seeing woodworkers liking the color of raw, unfinished natural wood. Perhaps this is what is truly the NATURAL look. Well, to each his own, I say. Regards Tim HI guys :

This is interesting. Everybody I have talked to face to face has always liked the warm color of oil finishes; some like the amberish tone of tung oil, while others prefer the slightly yellowish tone of linseed oil and varnish.

If nothing else, some will use blonde shellac to impart a light golden tone to liven things up.

For me, I absolutely hate staining and believe in letting the wood speak for itself. However, I do love the light golden color that Zinsser shellac sealcoat imparts. For oils, I always use the linseed oil / polyurethane blend for the warm look and natural tone. Tung oil is too orange for my taste.

This is the first time I am seeing woodworkers liking the color of raw, unfinished natural wood. Perhaps this is what is truly the NATURAL look.

Well, to each his own, I say.

Regards
Tim

]]> By: Todd A. Clippinger http://thewoodwhisperer.com/natural-looking-finish/#comment-39520 Todd A. Clippinger Tue, 27 Jan 2009 19:59:30 +0000 http://thewoodwhisperer.com/?p=4251#comment-39520 I can second Marc's suggestion for Sherwin's water white lacquers. I use have used these and I like them. Besides building custom wood projects, I have also refinished a few hardwood floors as a remodeling contractor. It is amazing the difference in floor color between a water base and oil base finish. The water base finishes produce really light, bright colors in the wood and oil base finishes produce a darker color with a pronounced amber tone. You may be wondering what floor finishes have to do with shop projects. Well, the same principle holds true for finishing shop projects. You may want to try a small spray can on your desired wood. Black walnut can look really "cold" with a water base finish and benefits from the amber tone that an oil base imparts. Oak tends to have a more modern look with a water base finish and oil finishes will make it feel a little more classic. When I am designing a project, the look of the finish is figured in as equally important as the stain, wood type, or grain pattern. I can second Marc’s suggestion for Sherwin’s water white lacquers. I use have used these and I like them.

Besides building custom wood projects, I have also refinished a few hardwood floors as a remodeling contractor. It is amazing the difference in floor color between a water base and oil base finish. The water base finishes produce really light, bright colors in the wood and oil base finishes produce a darker color with a pronounced amber tone.

You may be wondering what floor finishes have to do with shop projects. Well, the same principle holds true for finishing shop projects.

You may want to try a small spray can on your desired wood. Black walnut can look really “cold” with a water base finish and benefits from the amber tone that an oil base imparts. Oak tends to have a more modern look with a water base finish and oil finishes will make it feel a little more classic.

When I am designing a project, the look of the finish is figured in as equally important as the stain, wood type, or grain pattern.

]]> By: Joe R http://thewoodwhisperer.com/natural-looking-finish/#comment-39517 Joe R Tue, 27 Jan 2009 06:57:33 +0000 http://thewoodwhisperer.com/?p=4251#comment-39517 Hi Eric, Marcs suggestions are very good. I would note that once you put any finish on the wood, it will change the color (depending on the finish) to a more or lesser degree (like your "wetting the wood" example). There is, however, the method of sanding and polishing the wood which will still be natural, and then (for protection) do a wax finish. The only problem with this is that the wax is not a very protecting finish at all. It will need regular maintenance. The bottom line is that Marcs idea is probably the best compromise of the least change of color and offers a good protection. Experiment, and do sample tests. Good luck. Hi Eric, Marcs suggestions are very good. I would note that once you put any finish on the wood, it will change the color (depending on the finish) to a more or lesser degree (like your “wetting the wood” example). There is, however, the method of sanding and polishing the wood which will still be natural, and then (for protection) do a wax finish. The only problem with this is that the wax is not a very protecting finish at all. It will need regular maintenance. The bottom line is that Marcs idea is probably the best compromise of the least change of color and offers a good protection. Experiment, and do sample tests. Good luck.

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