Replies

1. 
   SteveSchoene | Dec 20, 2005 08:37pm | #1

   Oak has very large pores that are hard to fill. 

   Clearly you don't like what would be my first choice, a in-the-wood "oil" finish created with and oil/varnish or wiping varnish like Watco or Waterlox Sealer/Finish, respectively. 

   The alternative is to completely fill all the pores and then use a brushed on film finish.  You have already sealed the surface with one coat of oil finish.  On oak you are likely to need two applications of a pore filler, applied after the oil has well cured.  I like oil based fillers such as Behlen Por-O-Pac, tinted to what ever color you like.  A light oak tone would de-emphasize the pores and grain structure, and a darker brown would emphasize them.  It must be thinned to about the consistency of heavy cream, applied and wiped off cross grain when it begins to haze over.  After letting this cure for 48 hours or more a second application is likely to be necessary to completely fill the pores.  I would let the pore filler cure for at least a week before applying topcoats. These should be film forming top coats.  A wipe on oil finish doesn't work very well over the filler. 

   You can also use a water based pore filler, which do include some clear versions.  These dry much faster than the oil-based, so it is likely they will set up too quickly to wipe off the excess like you would with an oil based pore filler.  Consequently, these will have to have excess sanded off.  Fortunately, they sand reasonably well.  The need for sanding makes these risky to use on stained wood, but without a stain that could be accidentally cut through, they would work OK.  Again a film finish should be applied. 

   Oh, by the way, all clear finishes available in the US are non-toxic when they are fully cured (30 days.)

    

    

    

   
   

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   Edited 12/20/2005 12:39 pm ET by SteveSchoene

1. 
   user-75819 | Dec 22, 2005 06:44am | #2

   Thanks, Steve. You may be right and I may have to switch to Watco or something like it. I have not had much luck finding anything locally. Do you have a preferred supplier for these fillers? What would be a water based filler and would that be compatible with a Watco type finish? I assume that the Behlen Por-o-Pac would be compatible with Watco.

1. 
   SteveSchoene | Dec 22, 2005 06:49am | #3

   The filler should be followed by a film forming varnish or shellac or lacquer.  Woodcraft should have both water based and oil based.  Woodworkers Supply also, and of course there is Jeff Jewitt's http://www.homesteadfinishing.com.

   Watco should be in the big boxes--I saw some in Lowe's today.  I use it on oak instead of filler, just sealing and bringing a low sheen to the wood.  It doesn't fill pores, and won't look much different that the oil finish your started with.