Stuart Noble wrote:
Thomas Prufer wrote:
On 16 Jan 2007 14:22:02 -0800, "paul" wrote:

Is there a product or method which will keep the wood as light as poss
and highlight the grain ?

"Limed oak" -- a finish in which a paste of lime (or chalk?) and wax is applied
liberally, and then everything but the stuff in the pores is taken off with a
scrubber.

A bit unusual, and not to everyone's taste, but highlights the grain and is
light!


Thomas Prufer

Oak tends to "darken" whatever you put on it. Even if you just wipe it
with white spirit, it changes the appearance because light reflects off
it in a different way. That said, a lot of "clear" finishes aren't clear
at all. If you want transparency, the Rustins 2 part finishes are pretty
good but IMO they highlight the grain a little too much.
What most people want is a mellow, natural look that is also hard
wearing, and for that you have to consider lightening the wood itself.
2 part wood bleaches work well on oak but, as peroxide is the main
ingredient, maybe they've been banned.
How thick can a terrorist get, buying gallons of 1% strength from a
hairdressing wholesaler?


Thanks for so many replies, the problem with a wax finish is steam will
bloom the wax white , acylics do nothing to enhance the grain , I
have tried a sort of limed wash by applying sanding sealer and a
diluted wash wipped off , this tonned down quite well but when I oiled
or varnished over the wood looked quite flat, I have thought about an
oxcilic acid wash but for the moment I think I will try a drop of
undercoat in some oil finishes ,I have had oak floors and bits of
furniture before , the problem here is the cabinets are untreated and
have been in place for awhile and when I oiled a couple of doors they
seemed very dark and in your face !

thanks for replies Paul