Identify wood and finish advice

steve b · 5 Apr 2016

hi i have a very basic project in comparison to some of the excellent projects on here, first time ive really dealt with wood other than building decking and stud work! so easing in with something simple.

I sanded down an original window sill on my bay window over the weekend, it had been stained really dark and i had planned to just paint it white, however once sanded it actually looks like it could be made nice, some pictures below. I sanded it with 60 grit, then 80 grit, then 120 grit with an electric hand sander.

can you give me some advice on how to finish it, id like to try to make it look similar to shiny oak, although id go for any polished shiny wood look if possible and if you think its worth it?

any idea what the wood might be, nothing special im sure, but better than a generic white.

Last question would be do you think i could get a wood filler than may match it, or if making it shiny would that always show through?

Below is a Picture of the bed frame that id like it to match if possible, its made from oak.

thanks

RobinBHM · 5 Apr 2016

If the cills are 25 years or so old, then could be brazilian mahogany, although the image looks more like meranti.

wood filler - try brummer available from ebay stores.

david123 · 5 Apr 2016

It looks like beech to me! Seems to have a nice fleck.
Finish depends on what you want the outcome to look like, could use hardwax oil to give a more natural look.

Phil Pascoe · 5 Apr 2016

Yes, the flecks in the second pic. look like beech. Unusual wood to use for a cill board though - not good near damp.

steve b · 5 Apr 2016

the dust was very orange when sanded, if that helps!

if anyone can give me a product name for a finish, i can google it and see best ways to apply it etc. as i say id like to get close to the shiney sily smooth look of the oak bed, but im not expecting it to match, just not clash!