Replies

1. 
   SteveSchoene | Mar 31, 2007 04:42am | #1

   If you want to maintain and emphasize the "whiteness"  you can give up maximum durability for a waterborne acyrlic varnish that dries water clear, and doesn't change color over time. 

   If you don't mind the ambering that would come from an oil based finish, a traditional resin varnish, such as Pratt & Lambert 38 or McCloskey Heirloom (or Behlen Rockhard)  If you favor a wiping varnish, you can either thin any of the oil based varnishes mentioned, or you could at Waterlox Original/Sealer to your list. 

   The list would be wider if you sprayed solvent based finishes, but that's not an area where I have much experience. 

   
   

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   Edited 3/30/2007 9:44 pm ET by SteveSchoene

2. 
   ring | Mar 31, 2007 09:19am | #2

   Steve's reply is quite right.  Assuming that you want to preserve the whiteness of the stain, you should use a water-borne acrylic, either sprayed or brushed.  A kitchen table needs at least 3 coats to get decent protection.  If you want to fill the pores of the ash you can do it with white spackle compound before you start the clear finish.

    

   David Ring

   http://www.touchwood.co.il/?id=1&lang=e

1. 
   willy | Apr 02, 2007 05:20pm | #3

   Thanks, Ring, for the suggestion of using spackle as a filler. It's working great.

1. 
   Gretchen | Apr 03, 2007 03:48pm | #4

   If you use spackle and fill the pores don't you lose the benefit of having the grain show through your glaze?  I obviously don't understand what the look is that you want.Gretchen

1. 
   SteveSchoene | Apr 03, 2007 06:36pm | #5

   Gretchen

   I believe he is using a white stain.  In that case the plaster of Paris will accentuate the white pores, which I think is what is wanted.  It's only in the pores, like pore filler. 

   Steve

   Edited 4/3/2007 11:38 am ET by SteveSchoene

1. 
   willy | Apr 03, 2007 11:39pm | #6

   You gave the answer Steve. I applied a wash coat of white paint then wiped it leaving the grain highlighted. The white ash had deep pores so using a spackle (which was vinyl based) filled the pores, I let it dry then used a scrapper to remove the excess. It did a nice job of highlighting the grain and the white matches the solid white cupboards in the kitchen - and my wife is happy. I'm applying about 6 coats of a wipe on finish - 1/3 turpentine 1/3 polyermized tung oil and 1/3 spar varnish.

2. 
   xmike | Apr 04, 2007 08:10pm | #7

   Hi Willy,
   According to the research that I'm doing right now, you may want hold off applying the finish until you ask the guys if the polymerizing tung oil and spar varnish won't impart a definite yellow cast to your finished project.
   Mike (NOT an expert)

3. 
   SteveSchoene | Apr 05, 2007 12:36am | #8

   It will have some ambering effect, to avoid it you need waterborne acrylic finishes.  But the ambering may be OK--it would give a cream color that may give an older, antique effect that might be desired. 

4. 
   willy | Apr 05, 2007 05:26pm | #9

   Yes, it has an ambering effect, which goes with the new kitchen decor.