Hi, folks. I could use some advice: I need to finish some glued-up wenge countertops, filling the pores in the process. The effect the client wants is a relatively smooth surface (pores pretty much filled flat) that still looks natural. He wants an oil-rubbed (or oil-rubbed-looking)finish with a low sheen.
These are kitchen countertops, so they have to be relatively non-toxic* and easy to take care of.
I would appreciate any help selecting products to use with this slightly tricky wood. Thanks!
*I say relatively non-toxic because these surfaces won’t be used for food preparation, and they have no children.
“When you’re a hammer, everything looks like a nail”
Replies
I would fill the pores with your favorite pore filler and then top that with Sherwin Williams Super Kemvar "C" catalyzed vinyl which is designed to do one thing and one thing only - produce a "close to the wood" oil finish look but with superior properties compared to an oil finish. There's no maintainance because it resists plasticizer migration and it's tougher than typical "oil" finishes. It is rated "excellent" for abrasion resistance, chemical resistance. clarity, penetration, cold check resistance, humidity resistance and impact resistance. It only comes in one sheen which is actually fairly high but because it's designed to soak it there is virtually no apparent sheen. If you were to coat a piece of plastic laminate with it the result would be a full gloss. But as I say, it soaks in and that entirely negates the shine.
The first time I saw a wood sample with this finish on it I swore that there was no finish on the veneer because I couldn't see any at all. Yet a quick fingernail test proved beyond all doubt that there in fact was a finish and that it was pretty tough because I was completely unable to mar it with my fingernail.
I've only used this finish on a couple jobs and in both cases it either went directly on the wood or was used over a wipe stain. Sherwin Williams suggests using it over a couple coats of their penetrating oil which I've never used but it is apparently not unlike most other "oil" finishes out there in that it's apparently a blend of oils and varnish. If that's the case then you could probably use most any drying "oil" finish and get the same results. In a kitchen application such as your job I would suggest using the oil first and then top that with this finish because the oil will help seal off the wood pores and enhance both moisture and chemical resistance.
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