Wenge table-top – how to get the white/black contrast
user-231372
| Posted in Finishing on
I am making a wenge trestle table for my sister-in-law based on the design by Scott Schmidt. After having the table top sanded smooth the white/black ribbons of color have become rather muted, especially the white areas. I have sanded it down to 220 grit and it is still rather muted. For what she has invested in the cost of the wood I want to do the best possible job finishing for her.
Any ideas on how to get the distinctive coloration to really stand out??
Thanks
Dan
Replies
white/black ?
Wenge ?? Are you sure ? All of the Wenge I have used is black and "dark chocolate"
Bruce - ok I will go along with black and dark chocolate. Some areas of the boards are much lighter than dark chocolate though. Now I wonder if my question is due to the variation in the boards, some lighter and some dark chocolate?? I thought it was sanding that was burning some of the lighter sections and making it d. chocolate. or if there was a way to get to get the d. chocolate lighter like some of the other sections of the board.
I think it just is what it is...nothing to be done.
Thanks for making me take a closer look.
Dark sanding dust may be making the lighter areas darker. After thorough vacuuming, you might try a card scraper or sharp hand plane, but it might be necessary to remove to the depth of the pores. On some wenge veneer years ago the pores were very deep.
Have you tried applying a little white spirits, aka mineral spirits on the sanded area? This will mimic a clear finish whilst still wet and before it evaporates, and is likely to emphasise the colour differences between the stripes. Bare wood always looks less flatter, duller and less 'interesting' with no finish. Slainte.
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