Recommendations for finish on Maple

[Digizz]

Yet more questions

Can anyone recommend a finish for Maple - for a coffee table - I'd like something that remains light and brings out the subtle grain in maple but is nice and hard wearing - oh and easyish to apply would be a bonus but not essential.

 

[Philly]

Hi Dig,
I have used cellulose sanding sealer with a coat of wax-leaves a really nice finish and is a piece of cake to apply. Will need to use coasters but you'll be doing that anyway on your pride and joy!
Hope this is of help,
Philly

 

[Digizz]

Thanks,

Does it give a high, med or low gloss? or does that depend on the number of coats applied?

How about a harder wearing finish that will resist hot mugs etc?

 

[Alf]

Umm... Patina? It came out a lot better than I expected on a maple box, but not ideal if you want a very pale finish perhaps.

Cheers, Alf

 

[Chris Knight]

This is a great site for getting questions answered but do check the archives there first

http://www.homesteadfinishing.com/

Here is a sample http://www.homesteadfinishing.com/phpBB ... ight=maple


and Michael Dresdner has some good stuff too
http://www.michaeldresdner.com/

 

[Philly]

Dig,
A medium gloss. Looks great.
Philly

 

[Aragorn]

Second vote for Patina. My maple coffee table still looks respectable after several months of abuse by the kids (and bigger kids).

 

[Digizz]

Is Patina a particular product or type of finish in this case? I'm familiar with the words meaning though.

 

[Alf]

A specific product. Previous threads:
Patina - wood finish
Patina wood finish - a few questions...
Patina - preliminary observations

Cheers, Alf

 

[Anonymous]

I made a desk out of maple and needed a really hard wearing surface. I used Varathane satin finish water-based urethane varnish. 6 coats with sanding inbetween and finished off with a light polish using 0000 gauge wire wool and final buff with white wax. Hard as nails and it looks perfect after 7 years of continuous use.

I have also used Cuprinol, but it does 'yellow' maple very slightly, so I prefer the Varathane. Easy clean-up too!

Cuprinol does give a really nice rich finish on cherry. Pic of cherry bedroom furniture on my website.

http://www.managementtectonics.com/woodwork

 

[Chris Knight]

Brian,
Welcome to the forum.

Where do you get Varathane products? I would like to try some.

 

[Anonymous]

I'm currently using up a supply that I bought in the US about 6 years ago. Haven't needed to source it in the UK yet - think I bought too much!

 

[Gill]

I thought I'd bring this thread to the top again to see if anyone has more words of wisdom on the subject. It's been a while since the subject was originally discussed.

I'm currently working on a piece of maple and I want to preserve both the grain and the whiteness of the wood whilst achieving a durable finish. Suggestions, folks?

Gill

 

[Chris Knight]

Gill, a water based laquer is probably the best thing for this. They don't yellow as much as other finishes and have very little effect on the colour.

 

[jasonB]

As Chris says waterbased Lacquer, I use Barfords Aquacote which is also used as a floor finish so wears well and will not darken the wood like an oil.

My Chess Table was finished with Aquacote, not much on their site now but ask for a leaflet. only problem is that the smallest they do is 5lts at just over £50

Jason

 

[Gill]

Thanks Chris and Jason. That's what I'll do, although I'll probably use something like Chestnut's acrylic lacquer instead of Aquacote. It seems to be rather less expensive.

Gill

 

[jasonB]

It seems to be rather less expensive.

Using Axminsters prices I make it £67.00 for 5lts (12 1/2 cans)

But If you don't need that much

Jason

 

[tim]

(12 1/2 cans)

bearing in mind that Axminster will get in the bigger container sizes if you push them - and you may have to wait a couple of days.

Cheers

Tim