I am making a shoe bench out of birch and I want to give it some protection, but keeping the wood looking natural, so it doesn’t appear to have any finish on it (like a lacquer or poly).
I was thinking of maybe a tung oil, or Watco Danish oil. I think linseed would make it too yellow.
Suggestions???
Replies
For that no film look your best bet is an oil/varnish mix. Watco is one, but you can mix your own with equal parts of boiled linseed oil, varnish, and thinner. Pure tung oil is really quite a challenge to work with and I don't recommend it.
>>> I was thinking of maybe a tung oil, or Watco Danish oil. I think linseed would make it too yellow.
Virtually any finish will impart some color to the wood. Watco Danish Oil is almost wholly linseed oil and imparts quite an amber color as will any of the so-called "Tung Oil Finishes". Pure tung oil will also impart some color. No oil type finish will offer much in the way of protection.
Most varnishes and poly varnishes are made with linseed oil and are amber in color and will make the wood have an amber cast. Super blond shellac is quite pale but you would have to mix up your own from flakes.
A waterborne acrylic finish is almost always water clear and will only slightly change the color of the wood. Wipe a wet cloth over a section of the wood you plan to use. The "color" you see when wet is the color that the wood will be if you use a waterborne acrylic. Go to your local big box and buy a spray can of Minwax Polycrylic. Spray it on a sample and you will see how it looks.
To find out what the color of your project will be with a clear finish, wipe it down with mineral spirits. If you like that color then apply a wipe on non-poly varnish (satin would give a nice in the wood look). Or the water borne will not give much added color as Howard says. I think anything with oil, like Watco will give a good bit of added color, as Steve says.Gretchen
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