Finishing a maple computer desk

Re: Finishing a maple computer desk

Eric Kuehne

>Tom,

I built a computer desk out of maple 8 or so years ago. I used Bartley gel varnish and have been very happy with it. It just adds a bit of a honey tone to the maple. I like it. You may not.I expect tung oil would change the color in that direction too but can't speak from experience. It has been very durable. If you really want to go color neutral I would think either blonde shellac, water base varnish or lacquer would be your choices with shellac being the least robust.

Good luck. I'll be interested to hear other opinions.

Eric

Re: Finishing a maple computer desk

Howard G

>Maple is so tight grained that I question the penetration from tung oil. Blond shellac will no impart a yellow tone, but the question would be durability. Waterbased finishes dry very clear. If you have spray equipment, I've had good results using CAB acrylic.

Lightest color finish for Maple

Lee Schierer, McKean, PA

>I recently made a bathroom vanity for my son and his wife from Maple. they wanted the color to be as close to the unfinished wood as we could get it. After considerable research, it was recommended that I try Varathane Diamond Floor Finish. This is a water based urethane. It is a fantastic finish. It is easy to apply, easy to clean up, does little if any grain raising, self levels and builds film thickness quickly. It is non-yellowing and barely colors the wood at all. The only down side is that it is a floor finish so it works bes if applied on horizontal surfaces. Runs are pretty easily formed on vertical surfaces. I just wish it was avaiiable in quarts instead of gallon. I needed about 1/2 gallon for my project. I resealed tha can and about a month later used it for another project. It seemed to be the same and no surface skin had formed. I was able to open and use the remaining amount several times with no problems with a couple of weeks between uses.

Lee

Re: Lightest color finish for Maple

Kneale Brownson in Northern MI

>I used Varathane water-based Diamond Varnish (not the flooring stuff) for a number of projects where I didn't want the coloring most varnishes impart. I had the gallon can around for several years and it kept on doing a good job even when it was down to just an inch or so of material left in the bottom of the can.

Re: Finishing a maple computer desk

Bob Fawcett

>I used Waterlox on my computer desk. It has proven to be very durable. It will color your maple a little darker and add a shade of amber.

Re: Finishing a maple computer desk *LINK*

Paul Dwight

>Your need for a water-clear finish that is durable enough for a desk top makes me think you need to try out a waterborne varnish. Jeff Jewitt has an article on his website explaining how to apply waterborne finishes by wiping (as opposed to brushing or spraying) -- see link below.

Good luck! -- Paul


Jeff Jewitt on wiping waterborne finishes