To follow up a little, I have spent the day with 4 different stains, some wax I
have colored with artists colors, and some Olympic antiques finishing oil. As
I suspected, the two dark stains I tried are o u t out. The Minwax Ipswich
pine and Olympic american cherry are possibilities. I lean toward the cherry(a
little more red) , wife likes the pine. Have the first coat of oil on. Have
desolved some beeswax (former beekeeper) in mineral spirits and darkend it with
artists colors and will use it to see what enhanced grain looks like after a
couple more coats of oil. Going to try wipe on poly as well. Interesting
process and again a big thanks to all of your for your suggestions
Mike in Arkansas
>Confusion, then Indicision and now dispair. Stain, Dye, fill the grain, wipe
on
or spray. Too many options and not enough experience. None actually as this
is a first project. I built the Craftsman style bed from Wood Magazine a
couple months ago but instead of quarter sawed white oak I used plain sawed red
oak as that's what I had. Reading books and internet searches have multiplied
my morosity with conflicting information and unlimited options. So, with the
caveits that I am not fond of really 'dark finishes' and that it's a BIG
project, how would YOU finish this bed? Dye, Stain, Sealer, Fill the grain,
enhance the grain, poly, shellac, varnish, gloss, satin?????? Oh yeah, one
more thing is that there is a little color variation in the oak. Some darker
and lighter shades.. Looking forward to suggestions and thanks for your time.
Everyone have a great Thanksgiving.
Mike in Arkansas