I am building a table out of maple and elm the top is mostly elm I don’t know what to use for a finish I have used polyurethane but don’t like how it yellows the wood
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Replies
Wade,
Practically any oil-based finish will impart an amber color to the wood. Some more than less. Polyurethane finishes usually do not impart as much as others. But to avoid any yellowing, the waterbased/water borne finishes are truly "water white."
There are several polyurethane water borne finishes as well as water borne lacquers. The ployurethane is available as a brush on. You may have luck with that. I have found that I only can get a good finish by spraying water based finishes. No matter how carefully I apply the finish, I get many bubbles in the wake of the brush/pad/applicator, whatever. Often the bubbles form seconds after the applicator has passed over the surface. But spraying seems to work well. And there is NO color imparted by the finish. Very nice in that respect.
Rich
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