I am in the process of stripping off multiple layers of paint from a 100-year old balustrade that has about 40 balusters made of, what to me is, an unknown light-colored beautifully grained hardwood. (I think it is hardwood because I stripped some paint from some moulding that I know was pine and this wood is so-o-o much harder than that.) I am trying to decide about a new finish.

Finishes are applied to wood for protection, dimensional stability and beauty, right? It seems to me that this wood doesn’t need too much protection – perhaps the greatest risk is of scuff marks from a stray foot now and then. As to dimensional stability, a baluster does not have the same requirements for stability that wooden furniture has. And beauty? Well, I don’t know that applying a finish will enhance its natural beauty; I like the way it is.

So I think, why finish it? But then I have a nagging feeling that I ought to apply at least some sort of finish. I thought about tung oil but penetrating oils highlight surface defects and what with the 100 years of use (those stray feet, etc.) and the gouges from stripping the paint (I am an amateur at this) there are surface defects that just can’t be removed. I have thought about water-based finishes and went to my local big-box store and my local paint store neither of which have much selection of water-based finishes. So, another thought I had was to just put a coat of wax on the wood. But the question becomes what kind of wax and where do I get it? (Big box and paint store personnel don’t seem to have a clue.)

So if you have any ideas about products (including brand names and preferred distributors – hopefully on the Internet) or any comments at all it would help me move along with this project.

Oh, something I tried. After I finished sanding one of the balusters I decided to NOT stop sanding. I used some automotive paper and worked my up to 2500 grits; now that really shows off the grain. But I read somewhere that it probably also burnishes the wood so it won’t accept a finish. I don’t know; I haven’t tried it yet. But I have done this on only one baluster so if I do decide to apply finish I guess I can just rough up the one baluster.