How to keep Sugar Maple white?

Re: How to keep Sugar Maple white?

david weaver

I don't think anything will keep it from yellowing a little bit, but using a water based finish and a water based sanding sealer with no tint should help.

I recall seeing UV resistant finishes when I ordered the WB acrylic that I'm using, but my cabinets are cherry, so it's pointless for me to try to resist darkening and I'll defer to others on that front.

Re: How to keep Sugar Maple white?

david weaver

I don't think anything will keep it from yellowing a little bit, but using a water based finish and a water based sanding sealer with no tint should help.

I recall seeing UV resistant finishes when I ordered the WB acrylic that I'm using, but my cabinets are cherry, so it's pointless to try to resist their darkening over time.

Re: How to keep Sugar Maple white?

don stephan

You just finished the all-time greatest gift for the Boss, then were repainting the house. Now already you have to start cabinet work?

When does Derek get to go on a fishing trip, spend a weekend with Richard Raffan, learn to play harmonica, . . .?

Re: How to keep Sugar Maple white?

Curt Putnam

To my knowledge, nothing will stop yellowing forever. As has already been said some water borne finishes are absolutely colorless. General Finishes, Hi Performance Poly is one such. One of the members of another forum (which you inhabit - albeit down one floor) has thoroughly tested it and found it to be highly resistant to household chemicals and abrasion. Tint base paint dries clear and the exterior versions usually contain lots of UV inhibitors. The downside is that the result is murky compared to the WB interior finishes,

Re: How to keep Sugar Maple white?

Edward in Vancouver

about 8 years ago I built a display/storage wall unit for my store, albeit with western (soft) maple. I bleached the entire unit with an easily available two part wood bleach, then finished it with water based poly. It gets a fair amount of sunlight, but hasn't shown much yellowing

Re: How to keep Sugar Maple white?

Derek Cohen (in Perth, Australia)

Hi Edward

Can you say more about the bleaching process - what you used and what was involved. I was hoping to keep the finish simple (I would prefer to rub on a finish and not spray it. I do not own spray equipment anyway). To get the light effect I want it may be necessary to go the extra step and bleach.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Re: How to keep Sugar Maple white?

Derek Cohen (in Perth, Australia)

You just finished the all-time greatest gift for the Boss, then were repainting the house. Now already you have to start cabinet work?

When does Derek get to go on a fishing trip, spend a weekend with Richard Raffan, learn to play harmonica, . . .?

Thanks for the sentiments, Don. But please don't suggest to my wife that she should go easy on me here. More projects mean more time building, and more projects can mean tools! I've already scored a Domino machine for the Kitchen! (Well, come on, 25 doors to do .. !).

If I play my cards right I can do that workshop with Richard ("Poor Dear .. you really need to get away from all that hard work ..").

As for the harmonica ... did I ever tell you the story about my classical guitar teacher, who would openly weep when he saw me walk into his class? It was not encouraging.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Re: How to keep Sugar Maple white?

Kees

Adding a little bit of white colorant to the finish helps. I used oil on my maple kitchen fronts and added about 8% white "stuff" (not real sure what it is). The oil darkens the wood but the white stuff made it lighter in color again and helps to keep it that way.

But you can't keep it light forever. Nothing blocks UV completely.

Re: How to keep Sugar Maple white?

Jim Matthews

I wonder if a mild 'pickling' might help.

Bright sunlight is the enemy of lightly tinted timber.

https://www.thisoldhouse.com/how-to/how-to-create-pickled-finish-wood