finishing without darkening?

gilljc · 12 Feb 2014

Hi
just popped over from scrollsawing forum

I have been given some lovely ash and am making some tealight holders, they have sanded up beautifully, but I would like to finish them without losing the gorgeous pale colour, the first one I have done with finishing oil has gone a bit dark and almost orangey, which is a shame.
Can anyone advise me on the best way to achieve a nice sheen without affecting the colour?

thanks

Gill

marcros · 12 Feb 2014

I would suggest a blonde shellac, or even a sanding sealer and wax. Anything oil based will yellow the ash to some degree or other. Many oil based products will go to a vivid yellow.

Water based lacquer may be an option but I have never used it.

MIGNAL · 13 Feb 2014

A thin sandarac varnish. Easy to make and about as clear a finish as I've come across.

gilljc · 14 Feb 2014

thank you for thast, have used chestnut acrylic lacquer, and it has darkened it slightly, will look for water based one
Mignal, how do I make that?

MIGNAL · 14 Feb 2014

It's just Sandarac in alcohol, just like making Shellac. It has to be applied fairly thin, otherwise it has a tendency to crack. Sandarac is expensive from the incense suppliers but much cheaper from the specialised Artist material shops.
I think every finish will alter the colour to varying extents. It's just a matter of degree.

DavidBolger · 4 Mar 2014

White French Polish maybe a viable option. It is aimed specifically at light wood like Ash to retain the natural colours. Its more readily available and often cheaper than Sandarac.