Keeping Walnut Gray

[phmade]

I'm building some cabinets for a customer and when I showed him material samples he loved the unfinished walnut.  I wish he hadn't seen it now, it was just the backside of a veneered MDF panel.  Does anyone have any suggestions to maintain the soft gray color of unfinished walnut?  Everything I put on it darkens it to the normal brown color.  I'm wondering if I could bleach it first; has anyone ever tried this?  Or maybe I should try another species?

Thanks.

 

[tiralie]

I would try a water based matte polyurethane. If that didn't work I would try applying a "sizing" like Charles Neils blotch control and/or using a clear matte water-based urethane coating over the sizing.
What is the intended use of the cabinet?
If your client really likes the color, do you really have to put a finish on it?
Tim

 

[junk731]

Here's a pic using Target EM9000 Satin applied to the top of a piece of Black Walnut.

John

[attachthumb=#]

 

[PaulMarcel]

Also remember the walnut will lighten over time so a little darker now might hit your target color in the long run.

 

[AlexThePalex]

A coat of clear laquer? Would preserve the colour.

 

[CharlesWilson]

Does a coat of wax on polished (maybe up to 4000 platin) bare wood appreciably change the color?

 

[tiralie]

Here's a pic using Target EM9000 Satin applied to the top of a piece of Black Walnut.

John

Lookin' good John.

 

[junk731]

Thanx Tim, I took your lead. I had a piece in the shop that I was experimenting on awhile ago, personally I think it looks like crap and does nothing for the walnut, but if it helps someone else out, that's all that matters.

John

 

[tiralie]

Yes I agree. I would show my client a sample with a couple coats of amber shellac with a coat of Polyurethane. i think It  would improve this and the customer will probably like it more even tho they said they liked the plain.
It's interesting that clients will change their mind the next you meet them.
Tim

 

[nehardwoodfloors]

Rubio Monocoat/grey oil

 

[phmade]

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions.  I'll be working on samples tomorrow so I'll report back if anything works.

 

[jc]

Hi, how did it go with your client?

I personally like the color of unfinished wood too.  I've experimented with wax, laquer, oil even water-based acrylic laquer but find that they all add an amber/yellow tint to the wood.  Now, I use water-based polyurethane Target 9000sc gloss followed by buffing out to a matt/satin finish.  I think it works well. 

 

[phmade]

I finally got around to making up some samples... The target 9000 seemed to be the most gray.  I ordered some Rubio Monocoat so I'll try that when it comes in.  In the end it will come down to the customer's preference.  I think they all look pretty nice.  I really love the look of unfinished walnut sanded to a high grit, but this is going in a closet so it will be used every day.  I think that could be a recipe for disaster after about a year of use.

I'll post some pictures this week.