Replies

1. 
   ring | May 05, 2008 11:19am | #1

   In my limited experience with sapele, it seems that with a polyurethane clear finish it tends to lighten somewhat with exposure to sunlight.

   David Ring

   http://www.touchwood.co.il/?id=1&lang=e

2. 
   dondownunder | May 06, 2008 05:57am | #2

   I agree with David. In my experience sapele will  probably not darken with either poly or pre-cat lacquer. My preference is to use poly in a bathroom, but there are many other finishing choices out there.

   Don

1. 
   miller | May 06, 2008 08:34am | #3

   Thanks for sharing your experiences.  Its looks like I may use tung oil with some Minwax wipe on poly.  How does that sound to you?

1. 
   SteveSchoene | May 06, 2008 03:49pm | #4

   Tung oil is very slow drying.  You would want to give it as much as a couple of weeks before applying a topcoat, such as a polyurethane varnish, that isn't tenacious in its adhesion.  The difference in appearance will be nearly nil since you would be using an oil based varnish. 

   I assume you meant 100% or pure tung oil, not one of the many tung oil "finish" products that are not tung oil but are varnishes (Formby's) or oil varnish mixes (Minwax).  The "finish" would dry more quickly but reduce even more the potential effect on appearance if you leave them out. 

    

1. 
   miller | May 07, 2008 08:48am | #5

   Sorry for not being more specific.  I don't think I will ever use pure tung oil again.  It will definitely be Formby's.  I have used Formby's and the wipe on poly together before and liked the results.  I will however be doing some test boards and trying some different things.  Thank you for all of your help. 

                              P.S.  Do you have any experience with polys' that have                                  UV  protectors?

1. 
   SteveSchoene | May 07, 2008 10:47am | #6

   In that case, you might as well just continue with the Formby's, which is a fairly decent wiping varnish, rather than shifting to a different wiping varnish.  Unless there is a specific need, you are almost always better using just one material rather than creating multiple layer of different materials. 

   UV protection for single part polyurethane varnishes is just offsetting a tendency for that resin mix to be relatively more UV sensitive.  The cheap "spar polys" such as Minwax Helmsman don't really hold a candle to the real marine spar varnishes such as Epifanes, or Interlux Schooner, or Pettit Captain's. 

2. 
   miller | May 08, 2008 09:02am | #9

   I may try a spar varnish.   I have never tried using it before.  I am curious if it will really bring out the grain and set off those ribbon stripes.  I am afraid it will give me a really bright gloss, which is not quite the look I was going for.

3. 
   SteveSchoene | May 08, 2008 12:46pm | #10

   Spar varnish isn't a good choice for interior cabinets.  Contrary to popular opinion it is not meaningfully more water resistant than other varnishes.  It is used in marine applications for it's flexibility in an evironment where everything bends and where there are extremes in humidity.  But to be that flexible means that it is relatively soft. The softness is one reason why boaters get crazy about wanting people to use rubber soled boat shoes.  It's only partially that they what their visitors to have good traction so they don't go overboard. 

   As far as appearance, spar is only available  in a high gloss sheen that is relatvely difficult to rub out to an even sheen.  It won't set off the ribbon any better than any other darker colored varnish, or using one coat of BLO under other varnishes will do.   

    

3. 
   Quickstep | May 08, 2008 02:59am | #7

   My experience with polyurethane in sunny environments has not been good. Most of it doesn't have any UV inhibitors. Waterlox marine varnish is made with tung oil and will help "pop" the grain like tung oil does. The brands Steve mentions would be equal to the task as well. Epifanes seems to top the choices when I read the reviews in my boat mags.

4. 
   kope73 | May 08, 2008 07:28am | #8

   I refinished my doors many years ago with Laquer and built a cabinet for the washstand, also laquer. don't ask what brand but it has held up well. Only have one window and that may make a difference.The laquer was sprayed.