Replies

1. 
   SteveSchoene | Feb 26, 2010 12:22pm | #1

   First check out how much ambering you get with normal oil based finishing process.   You can get a first approximation by wiping down the surface with some mineral spirits.  That will amber the lighter part of the wood to some extent as it "wets" out out wood.  Then, an oil based varnish will also darken the wood.  For example Waterlox, which is a Phenolic resin varnish is moderately dark and will add an additional tone darker to the color.  In addition it will become slowly a bit more amber over time.  For that matter the wood itself will darken somewhat over time.   This may well be enough ambering--certainly lots of questions aim the other way, asking how to keep maple light.  I like the amber look, but you don't want kitchens to get too dark. 

   Try that a little and see if you need more darkening. 

1. 
   mrbird90 | Feb 26, 2010 01:05pm | #2

   I like to put a maple stain on the ambrosia maple as it accents the wood, then I apply  5 to 6 coats of a wipe on finish. I think the results are spectacular.