I have put 3 coats of Watco “Black Walnut” Danish oil on a quarter sawn white oak dresser. I am planning on using Watco Satin Wax to give the piece a little more luster, but not sure which one. I purchased the “Natural”, but I now see it also comes in a “Dark”. Should I have picked up the “Dark”?
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Replies
jhaley,
Sometimes the natural wax will show up as white specks in the pores of an open grained wood like oak, if the wax is laid on heavy, and buffed out incompletely. For that reason, the dark wax is, I think, a better choice for dark stained woods.
Regards,
Ray
Just Danish oil is not a very substantial final finish. You might want to wipe on some 50/50 varnish for a more durable finish and then wax, if you must.
I was originally considering using wiping polyurethane, instead of wax, because of how durable it is. However, I wanted to avoid the plastic look that polyurethane can produce. That’s why I was thinking about using wax over my Danish oil. Could you use satin wiping polyurethane over the 3 coats of watco Danish oil keep it from looking plastic? If so would 3 coats be sufficient and keep it from looking plastic? <!----><!---->
Would 50/50 varnish be a Tung oil wiping varnish? Would that have the same look as wiping polyurethane?
Jay
was originally considering using wiping polyurethane, instead of wax, because of how durable it is. However, I wanted to avoid the plastic look that polyurethane can produce.
Then why don't you break the polyurethane habit and get a NON-poly varnish. They are available although you have to go to a real paint store. Try McCloskey's. You can use a satin non-poly but BE SURE to continually swirl the diluted (50/50) varnish to keep the flatting agents in suspension. I have never used poly on anything. The non-poly gives a more "in the wood" look rather than "sitting on top of the wood plastic".Gretchen
I agree with Forest Girl. Use a standard varnish. BTW, much of the so called plastic look of polyurethane varnish comes from too thick a film. If you use only 2-3 coats of a poly varnish, you may not find much difference from standard varnish and you will still have a protective finish. All varnish contain "plastic" and always has. The resins used in modern varnishes and lacquers are all plastics from alkyd, to phenolic.Any varnish, standard or poly, can be made into a wiping varnish. However, if you use a non-gloss varnish, you need to be carefull. The flatteners want to quickly fall out of suspension in the thinner mixture. You must stir frequently or you will end up with cloudy streaks from uneven flatteners.Howie.........
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