I’m building a William & Mary style kitchen table. The top is Tiger Maple. I plan to stain the top with a water-soluble aniline dye. I really want to accentuate the character of the Tiger Maple, so I was thinking of sealing it with Shellac (100% dewaxed), then finish with a wiping poly gel (Minwax or Bartley Gel Varnish) for water and stain resistance. This is where I need some advise, is this a good plan or is there a better way? I thank you in advance for your help.
Replies
If it's gets normal use, you'll be refinishing it regularly. Stain it to you liking, and take it to a pro and have it sealed and shot with some CAT lacquer or conversion varnish, unless you have a spray rig. Much, much tougher.
If its going to get daily service, Id say go with Waterlox ,4 coats........its tough and highlights grain great. If you need to refinish all you do is wipe on some more
Wicked Decent Woodworks
(oldest woodworking shop in NH)
Rochester NH
" If the women dont find you handsome, they should at least find you handy........yessa!"
Which of the Waterlox products?
I have used the hi gloss on a table top before and it worked well. I used the Original on another table and it worked well too. The difference is the original took more coats but left a satin sheen as opposed to the Hi Gloss. I Used Waterlox Original on my kitchen floors; 225 year old pine. After three years the floor still looks great and does not need any touchups. The stuff wears very well.Wicked Decent Woodworks
(oldest woodworking shop in NH)
Rochester NH
" If the women dont find you handsome, they should at least find you handy........yessa!"
My table is a reproduction, I want the finish to look like 18th century, but have modern day protection and durability. Will Waterlox Sealer/Finisher give that look and feel? Also, should I use a Shellac sealer to emphasize the characher of the figured Maple?
From my experience with it you dont need anything with it at all. There was an article in FWW a couple issues ago about wipe on finishes and waterlox scored very high in all areas. I dont recall the issue but I am sure someone in here will be able to tell you in short order. If you want the figure to jump right out at you then maybe you might want to do a stain first then add the Waterlox. I am building a Nakashima style table now from crotch walnut and curly maple. I didnt want the maple to overpower the crotch walnut so I will not stain the curly maple first. The test piece I did with Waterlox ( these guys should be sending me commission checks!) made the grain stand out well. You might want to experiment and see what you ge for results.Wicked Decent Woodworks
(oldest woodworking shop in NH)
Rochester NH
" If the women dont find you handsome, they should at least find you handy........yessa!"
Waterlox original is tung oil varnish with a phenolic resin,which both add amber coloring to the wood. There is no need to add shellac or any thing else unless you are tring to match something else. This varnish was originally sold as gym floor finish. It is very tough.RegardsJerry
You sold me on Waterlox. Any tips or tricks I should know about (easy to apply, drying times, etc.)?
Any thoughts on brushes, natural bristle, foam, or others?
I use an old towel. Smooth it on and let it dry. Wait a day or so; the first coat will dry in about 4 hrs. Fine sand with 220 grit. I use the same piece of paper for all 3 coats, partly because I am frugal and partly because as you get down to the final coat that 220 is now about 600.
Wicked Decent Woodworks
(oldest woodworking shop in NH)
Rochester NH
" If the women dont find you handsome, they should at least find you handy........yessa!"
Apply with a natural brisrle brush just as you would with any varnish,put it down tip it off (one direction brush nearly vertical). Sand between coats, only to remove dust nibs. Personally I use a 2-1/2 or 3in badger hair brush, many swear by Purdy brushes. I;m not sure what a foam brush is for,but it isn't varnish. This are my opions only -not chiseled in stone. I should have added thin the first coat about 15%( I thin every coat a little the first more so.RegardsJerry
Edited 10/18/2005 1:53 pm ET by jerrymayfield
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