Finish that doesn't darken?

[Wuffles]

Two threads started in the same sub-forum in one day, that's a record for me.

So, Mrs Wuffles has again been buying items and recently rocked up with a very large round table for our dining room. "The legs are too red" and "the top it too yellow" are the relevant bits I can take from the conversation. That along with "when are you going to finish [this and that]", which is actually relevant as I seem to start lots of things and finish nothing whilst asking questions on here that people might be wondering about*.

I've stripped back the legs as best I can and they look really nice, but if I run some white spirit over them to simulate what a wax or an oil might do she doesn't like the colour. She (and I really) would like to keep the legs the colour they are now. Is this possible? Based in the UK too, so nothing too fancy.

[attachimg=1]

I'll grab a photo of the top in a bit, currently attacking it with Abranet HD 60 grit to break through the layers of varnish - Granat 120/80/60 all bounced off it. It is odd that the top and the base are such different woods, but then what would I know.

* Glow in the dark coffee table top almost done, just been filed under "less important".
Oak porch is built and roofed now, just need to put some cedar cladding on the gable end when I find another pair of hands to help me.
Patio is now done, very pleased with the effect of the oak sleepers and the hidden screws.

 

[Scott B.]

Nice piece.

Best shot at what you want would be to finish sand to a high grit (320) and apply a non oil based clear. Not sure what is available over there, but here, there is a whey (yes, as in cheese) based product called Vermont Natural Coatings that is the most "blonde" clear I have found to date. They have a Furniture Finish in satin sheen that is what I use when I run into this situation. It sprays and brushes well and is a very nice, hard clear.

 

[Wuffles]

Nice piece.

Best shot at what you want would be to finish sand to a high grit (320) and apply a non oil based clear. Not sure what is available over there, but here, there is a whey (yes, as in cheese) based product called Vermont Natural Coatings that is the most "blonde" clear I have found to date. They have a Furniture Finish in satin sheen that is what I use when I run into this situation. It sprays and brushes well and is a very nice, hard clear.

I have some food safe oil that might do the job actually, used it on a few bowls in the past and seem to recall that not changing much in the way of colour. I might try a spot underneath one of the legs and see.

On the bright side, the top is going to need dying to get it anything like the colour she's after, so I'll be free to use whatever to cover that after applying the dye, can't get too dark.

 

[tjbnwi]

Apply a little water to an area, verify wife likes the color. As Scott said find the clearest water based product you can find, that will be your closest match to just the water.

Do not use any type of oil product, it will darken the wood.

Tom

 

[Wuffles]

Thanks chaps. Just out of curiosity I tried the food safe stuff. Wood went red as a beetroot.

 

[tjbnwi]

Food safe what? Water bourne or oil?

Try mixing some green food coloring in the finish, green cancels red.

Tom

 

[Wuffles]

Food safe what? Water bourne or oil?

Try mixing some green food coloring in the finish, green cancels red.

Tom

Sorry, I'd mentioned it in the previous post and already tried it before you'd replied. It's a food safe oil for use on bowls and plates.

Turns out water makes it red too, it's obviously a reddy wood, but looks nice when dull. Would the green colourant actually work or are you pulling my leg.  [tongue]

 

[tjbnwi]

Food safe what? Water bourne or oil?

Try mixing some green food coloring in the finish, green cancels red.

Tom

Sorry, I'd mentioned it in the previous post and already tried it before you'd replied. It's a food safe oil for use on bowls and plates.

Turns out water makes it red too, it's obviously a reddy wood, but looks nice when dull. Would the green colourant actually work or are you pulling my leg.  [tongue]

Look at a color wheel, the complimentary colors opposite a color cancels the color. I'm not sure how it will work in your situation but it may be worth a try. Pick an area to put some green food coloring on also, not sure what will help the most here.

Try and get away from the oil also.

Tom

 

[Wuffles]

Food safe what? Water bourne or oil?

Try mixing some green food coloring in the finish, green cancels red.

Tom

Sorry, I'd mentioned it in the previous post and already tried it before you'd replied. It's a food safe oil for use on bowls and plates.

Turns out water makes it red too, it's obviously a reddy wood, but looks nice when dull. Would the green colourant actually work or are you pulling my leg.  [tongue]

Look at a color wheel, the complimentary colors opposite a color cancels the color. I'm not sure how it will work in your situation but it may be worth a try. Pick an area to put some green food coloring on also, not sure what will help the most here.

Try and get away from the oil also.

Tom

I understand the concept, just didn't think it would work practically. I'll give it a go tomorrow if I can find some green dye. Only tried the food safe stuff as it's about as inert an oil as you are likely to find...that and I had it to hand to give it a bash but I get it about the water.

 

[Ed Bray]

Cyan is the complimentary to red, magenta is the complimentary to green and yellow is the complimentary to blue.

 

[Nippychippy]

Get a sample tin of osmo raw it has a white pigment to it to make look natural I have just applied it to the floor in the photos

 

[Nippychippy]

Osmo

 

[Wuffles]

I've got some Osmo Satin Clear (3232), any good do you think?

Edit: Just read the post before, I wonder if anyone nearby has some I could try.

 

[Wuffles]

Just read some reviews on it from Wood Finishes Direct and it seems that on a dark wood it actually looks white  [eek]

Deffo a sampler if I can find someone flogging it locally.

 

[Nippychippy]

Yes if you apply it and after about 15 mins wipe off excess it's not supposed to go to White in theory

 

[Wuffles]

Yes if you apply it and after about 15 mins wipe off excess it's not supposed to go to White in theory

Know any high street places that flog it fella?

Edit: Scratch that, there are a couple of places nearby that may stock it - found them on the Osmo webby.

I will report back if I can find some.

 

[SMJoinery]

The Dulux Decorators Centre have some stock of it if that helps. They have outlets nationally.

 

[Nippychippy]

I would send you some but not sure on how to get it to you

 

[Wuffles]

I would send you some but not sure on how to get it to you

I live down hill from you, if it weren't for potholes you could probably just let it make its own way here.

 

[Nippychippy]

Ha ha I would put in a plastic bottle but the post office will probably think it's a bomb