Replies

1. 
   elmaduro | Nov 02, 2022 09:01am | #1

   A water based polycrylic might be a good option.

1. 
   user-6700250 | Nov 02, 2022 10:19am | #5

   Thank you for replying. So a flat poly would be your best recommendation?

2. 
   john_c2 | Nov 02, 2022 09:43am | #2

   Water based poly changes wood color the least. Apply too much and the color still doesn't change, but the sheen does.

   He may like the look now, but he won't like how the bare wood looks in a few years.

1. 
   user-6700250 | Nov 02, 2022 10:18am | #3

   I'm sure he won't be excited to look at his bed in a couple years and think about how he should have gotten a finish put on it. I'm trying to prevent that, but not sure what kind of a fighter I'm going to have on my hands. Thank you for your input

2. 
   Deleted | Nov 02, 2022 10:18am | #4

   “[Deleted]”

3. 
   bilyo | Nov 02, 2022 10:49am | #6

   I'm with john C2. A flat or semi-gloss water based poly is probably the best choice. It will add some protection while changing the color of the wood the least. Just sand the oak through 180 grit, add a couple of coats of WB poly. Done.
   Explain to your client that the combination of skin oils and dirt, over time, will get real ugly and will be difficult, if not impossible, to clean. The WB poly will allow it to be cleaned when needed.

4. 
   gulfstar | Nov 02, 2022 02:42pm | #7

   Agree with all the above, when I want to keep the original color, I go for a few light coats of General Finishes High Performance semi-gloss or satin.

5. 
   drew_z | Nov 02, 2022 03:28pm | #8

   Milesi makes oil and water based natural finishes that are as close to bare wood as I've ever seen. We've used them on bathroom millwork, kitchen cabinetry, and furniture with great success. Great protection and looks like nothing is there. If you aren't set up to spray, they make a dead-flat floor finish that can be hand applied.

6. 
   joeleonetti | Nov 02, 2022 04:09pm | #9

   Lost Art Press has talked about a soap finish. Not much protection obviously. Could let your customer know about frequent applications.

7. 
   user-7737453 | Nov 02, 2022 06:41pm | #10

   I just finished a small white-oak box and used General Finishes new High Performance Flat top coat. It’s the more durable version of their Flat Out Flat. Three coats and finished with Satin Finishing Wax.

8. 
   pantalones868 | Nov 03, 2022 03:03am | #11

   Ronan Dead Flat. Seals the wood but is almost invisible.

9. 
   sterlingh | Nov 03, 2022 11:32am | #12

   Rubio Monocoat in ‘Natural’ if you wanted an oil option.

10. 
    geedubbee | Nov 04, 2022 11:44am | #13

    Everyone is going to name their favorite and rightly so. However, I do not know that a near-clear, interior finish, requires a $70/qt product. A waterborne polycrylic product will be very clear, stay very clear, and wear decently in a bed-frame-type environment.

    I have fought the weird blue-ish tint to GF High Performance and am pretty sure I have abandoned it as an option. I hold out hope as others claim good results. I am always open to the idea that the problem with anything may be . . . me ;-)

11. 
    mdorsam | Nov 04, 2022 01:53pm | #14

    Most of my work includes either light or contrasting colored woods - it's normal for me to have European Beech (a very light-colored wood) paired with Walnut or Cherry (on the long-term view of natural darkening).
    My go-to topcoat is Deft Waterborne Clear Acrylic, and I hear excellent things about General Finishes' products. However, my sealing coat is typically Zinsser SealCoat, which darkens everything it touches. What I'd like to find... in the 'invisible' coat category... is a clear sealing coat that doesn't raise the grain.

12. 
    rob_ss | Nov 05, 2022 02:43am | #15

    It sounds like the desire is to have the white oak have the white look it has when unfinished.
    I see above my answer of a soap finish has already been taken.
    You can try beeswax.
    I suspect that the answer will be one of the pigmented hard wax finishes - Osmo and Rubio do these. Were it my project, I'd show him some Rubio Cotton White finish - bet you that's the winner.

13. 
    user-6700250 | Nov 05, 2022 11:24am | #16

    Thanks to all of you that have replied. I am grateful for this input. I have heard some input and of some finished/brands I haven't heard before so I'm definitely appreciate for everyone's advice!

14. 
    PhilR | Nov 05, 2022 12:11pm | #17

    I appreciate your dilemma. I had some Target water-based Lacquer (EM6000, Satin ) left over from a project this summer, so I tried it on some oak. This was their Satin, they also offer a Flat. This was two coats, brushed. I don't know how much more transparent you could expect a finish to get. If you want, I can either send you my sample or send you some of the left-over product to test. Email me at [my namehere]@f l u i d d y n a m i c s.com (just get rid of the spaces.)

    
15. 
    Donji | Nov 05, 2022 07:17pm | #18

    Maybe a little left field - perhaps a natural soap finish. Early Nordic often used pure soap as a finish and applied using a rubber as in like French polishing. It is not very durable, but on a bed, it may not be necessary. As I say, a bit left field.