Wiping varnish that adds the least amount of color?
Jkatzowitz
| Posted in Finishing on
I liked Formby’s Tung Oil Finish because it added almost no color to raw wood. Miniwax acquired the rights to the product several years ago and apparently it’s no longer available. I’m getting ready to apply finish to a project with some Maple components, any recommendations for a wiping varnish that will keep it light?
Thanks!
Replies
I like Mohawk polyurethane varnish. It adds virtually no color and dries hard. If you're go with tung oil, make sure the label says "pure tung oil." Otherwise you get unwanted ingredients. I found what I use at EagleAmerica.com
Mikaol
Water based polyurethane is usually colorless sometimes to the point that people will actually add some color to it.
They do make wiping lacquer, although I have no experience with it.
When I want protection with zero color added, I use water based poly. General Finishes makes an excellent one.
This exact question is answered in depth by Chris Minick in his FWW article, "Wipe-0n Finish Test" comparing 17 wipe-on finishes in the Jul/Aug 2005 edition, issue #178. Minwax Wipe-on Poly scores best overall and best value in his comparisons, and is one of the best for adding the least color.
See: https://www.finewoodworking.com/membership/pdf/8726/011178032.pdf
Thanks all for the comments. I was hoping I could get away from water based poly because I'm not crazy about the "plastic" looking surface. Like I mentioned in my OP, I was happy with my Formby's Tung Oil finish because it imparted very little color to the wood.
Any suggestions for another oil based wiping varnish with minimal color added?
Thanks again
It looks to me like Tim (above) has provided you with the answer. I personally like an equal parts mix of tung oil, mineral spirits, and poly. You would want to select your poly based on minimal color.
I've read that article but missed the fact that the Minwax wipe on poly was not water based. Thanks for pointing that out.
Well , it's not oil based but I have used a product called Ronan Dead Flat Varnish. I have in my house antique Eastlake cedar doors that had no finish at all and I liked them that way but they were getting grimey and stained and needed something. I tried the Ronan, it sealed the wood and came out "deadflat". In other words, as if it had no finish at all, which was what I was trying to accomplish.
Did the Ronan add any color (yellow, amber, etc)? I want to keep my Maple as light and neutral as possible. I understand that I'll probably have to compromise some.
Thank you for the recommendation.
No color. Of course try it in a neutral location. I think this stuffs main purpose is as a varnish/ fixer for faux finishers. Like just about everything else it's not particularly cheap. Old Masters makes a dead flat as well. I built and installed a paneled wall in a house one time out of vg fir. The home owner decided that they wanted a no finish finish. The painters ( not my problem) couldn't figure it out and I suggested the Ronan . They came back with the Old Masters Dead Flat and everyone was happy with the result.
Osmo raw or neutral. Neutral has more white in the mix and can end up looking kinda pickled, but probably fine on maple. The raw has less of a tendency to be overly white.
I thought I'd close out this post with some images of the finally finished rocking chair I was working on. I ended up going with Minwax Wipe on Poly and it worked out great. It didn't add much "color" to the curly Maple and was easy to apply.
Thank you all for the comments and suggestions that led me to the Minwax finish choice.
Do yourself a favor and put some Osmo neutral on a piece of scrap. It doesn't darken maple at all and has a rich "buttery" feel. I love that product on light woods I want to stay light. Also has all the other benefits Osmo offers: wears like iron, spot repairable, water, blood, soft drink, beer and saliva resistant. Super easy to use and dries in a normal amount of time.
I'd like to see the head-to-head test results for the finishes for blood, beer, and saliva. Sounds like Johnny Cash should be involved.
Waterlox has a new Urethane product. It is oil base and claims to dry CLEAR.
Make your own. To make your own wiping varnish for this exercise/project, pour approximately equal amounts of oil-based, gloss polyurethane and mineral spirits into a clean wide-mouth container. For this exercise on scrap wood you should make your own wiping varnish.4MyHR
I follow Hal Taylor's advice. 50/50 mix mineral spirits and Min Wax Poly Satin.
Hal insist on one coat.. I just did 3 coats. The maple drawer runners did not tint.
2 coats would have been better than 3 coats
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