Replies

1. 
   mlbfreestyle | Dec 31, 2009 12:06am | #1

   My experience is that walnut can lighten if exposed to UV. If the table is in the interior of the home away from windows, then I do not think it will lighten much over many years.

   My favorite finish for walnut is Deft-oil or Watco Danish oil. I use Danish oil with the asphaltum coloring in it such as "dark walnut". It does not add tons of color or darkness to the wood. Just the right amount for my tastes. I think you will find that the sapwood will retain its' lighter character when using Deft or Watco. I finished a vanity made of walnut many years back. The front was all heartwood but there was some sapwood on the back of the cabinet. It did not darken much at all with the oil finish.

1. 
   Rich14 | Dec 31, 2009 11:15am | #2

   Thomas,

   This kind of question can frequently result in 10 replies, all with different finishing methods, all described as the very best way to finish walnut.

   Walnut takes any finish so well, that any finish anyone has ever tried, becomes their favorite. But I'm going to try to steer you away from using an oil finish or varnish on walnut. In my opinion, the very best finish for walnut is shellac or lacquer.

   Shellac is unsurpassed for bringing out the beauty, color and "fire" in walnut. In light (blond) varieties, it will not add color and will maintain the contrast between light and dark colors in the wood. Using darker colors of shellac will beautifully darken the wood if that's what you want, while maintaining contrast. The reddish hues in the darker shellacs also "warm" the walnut color, which can tend toward being blue.

   If you know how to rub out shellac (I'd be glad to describe that) you'll have as beautiful a finish as can be applied. If you need alcohol resistance, start with a darker shade of shellac (if you need to add color) then use lacquer for the top coats. Or use lacquer alone (and rubbing out) if no added color is desired.

   Rich

1. 
   GarageBand | Jan 01, 2010 04:04pm | #3

   Thanks to both of you for replying. I like both ideas, I think I will try both on the underside and see which one I like best. I have a lot of shellac left over from my last project which was curly cherry and I have not used Danish oil before and so I want to see what its effects are.

   (Everything is a learning experience.)

   Rich, if you could describe how to rub out shellac, I would appreciate the knowledge.

   Thomas