Cut a very detailed threshold out of 1x6 oak board. As it turns out the color of the board is perfect complement to either room.
Question: What protective coating could I apply to prevent the oak from turning darker over time? Don't want shiny, would like to stay as matte as possible.
Thank you, Ivan Vegvary

On Saturday, September 8, 2018 at 9:33:21 AM UTC-5, Ivan Vegvary wrote:
Cut a very detailed threshold out of 1x6 oak board. As it turns out the color of the board is perfect complement to either room.
Question: What protective coating could I apply to prevent the oak from turning darker over time? Don't want shiny, would like to stay as matte as possible.
Thank you, Ivan Vegvary

A finish may not prevent darkening.

Apply a floor finish. Burnish any gloss/high gloss finish with brown paper bag, ScotchBrite pad, burlap, or saw dust..... sometimes denim works well, also. When need refinishing, clean, sand lightly, apply new coat(s) and burnish, again.

Sonny

On 9/8/2018 9:33 AM, Ivan Vegvary wrote:
Cut a very detailed threshold out of 1x6 oak board. As it turns out the color of the board is perfect complement to either room.
Question: What protective coating could I apply to prevent the oak from turning darker over time? Don't want shiny, would like to stay as matte as possible.
Thank you, Ivan Vegvary


It's the latest fad, it seems
https://www.menards.com/main/paint/interior-paint-stain/polyurethane-clear-protective-finishes/floor-polyurethane/varathane-reg-matte-water-based-floor-finish-1-gal/286820/p-1444452992407.htm

Will help but will eventually age no matter what if it's not totally
opaque (like paint).

--

On Saturday, September 8, 2018 at 9:33:21 AM UTC-5, Ivan Vegvary wrote:
Cut a very detailed threshold out of 1x6 oak board. As it turns out the color of the board is perfect complement to either room.
Question: What protective coating could I apply to prevent the oak from turning darker over time? Don't want shiny, would like to stay as matte as possible.
Thank you, Ivan Vegvary

Irrespective of what you do, some UV is going to get through and darken the piece. But Sonny is right, a good floor finish, with a high UV content, will keep it from darkening for the longest period of time.

Thanks to all of you.

On 9/8/2018 9:33 AM, Ivan Vegvary wrote:
Cut a very detailed threshold out of 1x6 oak board. As it turns out the color of the board is perfect complement to either room.
Question: What protective coating could I apply to prevent the oak from turning darker over time? Don't want shiny, would like to stay as matte as possible.
Thank you, Ivan Vegvary



An oil based varnish will instantly add a warmer and darker glow to the
wood. A water based varnish will also darken a bit but will generally
not add color.

FWIW any finish will enhance a woods appearance, even plain wax. These
finishes enrichen the color vs. no finish at all. Often the
enhancement, bringing out the true color of the wood will appear as
darkening.

To test what a water based finish will look like simply wipe a wet/damp
rag over the sanded surface.

The same technique with mineral spirits will have a similar effect for
an oil finish.

Because all varnishes and their secret sauce formulas are different the
results will also be different to some varying degree.

Some woods darken and some lighten with exposure to UV light. If
sunlight does not hit the piece there may never be any change after
applying the finish. If exposed to sun light a finish with UV blockers
may aid in preventing a wood from darkening or becoming lighter over time.

Just remember that most any finish. regardless of make up, will
immediately change the appearance to some degree, that is what they are
designed to do.

Thank you Leon. Very informative!

On Sunday, September 9, 2018 at 10:30:03 AM UTC-4, Leon wrote:
On 9/8/2018 9:33 AM, Ivan Vegvary wrote:
Cut a very detailed threshold out of 1x6 oak board. As it turns out the color of the board is perfect complement to either room.
Question: What protective coating could I apply to prevent the oak from turning darker over time? Don't want shiny, would like to stay as matte as possible.
Thank you, Ivan Vegvary



An oil based varnish will instantly add a warmer and darker glow to the
wood. A water based varnish will also darken a bit but will generally
not add color.

FWIW any finish will enhance a woods appearance, even plain wax. These
finishes enrichen the color vs. no finish at all. Often the
enhancement, bringing out the true color of the wood will appear as
darkening.

To test what a water based finish will look like simply wipe a wet/damp
rag over the sanded surface.

The same technique with mineral spirits will have a similar effect for
an oil finish.

Because all varnishes and their secret sauce formulas are different the
results will also be different to some varying degree.

Some woods darken and some lighten with exposure to UV light. If
sunlight does not hit the piece there may never be any change after
applying the finish. If exposed to sun light a finish with UV blockers
may aid in preventing a wood from darkening or becoming lighter over time.

Just remember that most any finish. regardless of make up, will
immediately change the appearance to some degree, that is what they are
designed to do.

What would a clear epoxy finish do? Something like West Systems 207 Clear
Hardener.

On 9/10/2018 11:16 AM, DerbyDad03 wrote:
On Sunday, September 9, 2018 at 10:30:03 AM UTC-4, Leon wrote:
On 9/8/2018 9:33 AM, Ivan Vegvary wrote:
Cut a very detailed threshold out of 1x6 oak board. As it turns out the color of the board is perfect complement to either room.
Question: What protective coating could I apply to prevent the oak from turning darker over time? Don't want shiny, would like to stay as matte as possible.
Thank you, Ivan Vegvary



An oil based varnish will instantly add a warmer and darker glow to the
wood. A water based varnish will also darken a bit but will generally
not add color.

FWIW any finish will enhance a woods appearance, even plain wax. These
finishes enrichen the color vs. no finish at all. Often the
enhancement, bringing out the true color of the wood will appear as
darkening.

To test what a water based finish will look like simply wipe a wet/damp
rag over the sanded surface.

The same technique with mineral spirits will have a similar effect for
an oil finish.

Because all varnishes and their secret sauce formulas are different the
results will also be different to some varying degree.

Some woods darken and some lighten with exposure to UV light. If
sunlight does not hit the piece there may never be any change after
applying the finish. If exposed to sun light a finish with UV blockers
may aid in preventing a wood from darkening or becoming lighter over time.

Just remember that most any finish. regardless of make up, will
immediately change the appearance to some degree, that is what they are
designed to do.

What would a clear epoxy finish do? Something like West Systems 207 Clear
Hardener.


Having never used an epoxy for a finish I do not know. But like
anything else that covers the surface and brings out the woods color, it
will probably appear to slightly darken.

On Monday, September 10, 2018 at 11:16:41 AM UTC-5, DerbyDad03 wrote:

What would a clear epoxy finish do? Something like West Systems 207 Clear
Hardener.

In this case, not much. The Hardener may be clear, but mixed with the resin it will discolor. More importantly, in context of using it to finish a piece of wood that will receive foot traffic, epoxy it not a good idea. Unless formulated specifically for wear as a top coat finish, epoxy has poor abrasion resistance.

Robert

On Tuesday, September 11, 2018 at 2:38:27 PM UTC-4, wrote:
On Monday, September 10, 2018 at 11:16:41 AM UTC-5, DerbyDad03 wrote:

What would a clear epoxy finish do? Something like West Systems 207 Clear
Hardener.

In this case, not much. The Hardener may be clear, but mixed with the resin it will discolor. More importantly, in context of using it to finish a piece of wood that will receive foot traffic, epoxy it not a good idea. Unless formulated specifically for wear as a top coat finish, epoxy has poor abrasion resistance.

Robert

I hear you as far as wear. I was being more generic in response to Leon's
comment that any finish will change the appearance of wood.

In any case, I did some looking around and all indications are that the 105
resin and 207 hardener will produce an "exceptionally clear...natural wood"
finish.

One source of that claim:

https://www.jamestowndistributors.co...ct.do?pid=2032

I've never tried the 207 hardener, but I'm thinking about a project where
it might work. I might have to play around a bit.

On Tuesday, September 11, 2018 at 1:38:27 PM UTC-5, wrote:
On Monday, September 10, 2018 at 11:16:41 AM UTC-5, DerbyDad03 wrote:

What would a clear epoxy finish do? Something like West Systems 207 Clear
Hardener.

In this case, not much. The Hardener may be clear, but mixed with the resin it will discolor. More importantly, in context of using it to finish a piece of wood that will receive foot traffic, epoxy it not a good idea. Unless formulated specifically for wear as a top coat finish, epoxy has poor abrasion resistance.

Robert

Adding to Robert's idea/info: Possibly G-Flex 650-8 epoxy might do as a top coat and *maintain its luster, at least for a while. Another problem I sense, with using any epoxy, is refinishing, in the future. One may not be able to refinish an epoxy surface, as well or as easy, as when using a dedicated finish product.

* I filled some defects/cavities in a cedar log coffee table with G-Flex 650-8 epoxy, 2 yrs ago. It handles coffee table scuffing ok, I guess (so for, so good), but this scuffing is certainly not foot traffic.

Sonny

On Tuesday, September 11, 2018 at 2:18:44 PM UTC-5, Sonny wrote:
On Tuesday, September 11, 2018 at 1:38:27 PM UTC-5, wrote:
On Monday, September 10, 2018 at 11:16:41 AM UTC-5, DerbyDad03 wrote:

What would a clear epoxy finish do? Something like West Systems 207 Clear
Hardener.

In this case, not much. The Hardener may be clear, but mixed with the resin it will discolor. More importantly, in context of using it to finish a piece of wood that will receive foot traffic, epoxy it not a good idea. Unless formulated specifically for wear as a top coat finish, epoxy has poor abrasion resistance.

Robert

Adding to Robert's idea/info: Possibly G-Flex 650-8 epoxy might do as a top coat and *maintain its luster, at least for a while. Another problem I sense, with using any epoxy, is refinishing, in the future. One may not be able to refinish an epoxy surface, as well or as easy, as when using a dedicated finish product.

* I filled some defects/cavities in a cedar log coffee table with G-Flex 650-8 epoxy, 2 yrs ago. It handles coffee table scuffing ok, I guess (so for, so good), but this scuffing is certainly not foot traffic.

Sonny

Addendum: G-Flex 650-8 would be hard to apply, as you apply finishes. It's too thick to flow or to brush on, nicely. It'll flow into a crack or crevice, albeit slowly. So for, it's great as a filler and an adhesive.

My previous post may have given the idea that it might make for a finish, of sorts, but that was wrong, if interpreted that way.

Sonny

On 9/11/2018 2:16 PM, DerbyDad03 wrote:
On Tuesday, September 11, 2018 at 2:38:27 PM UTC-4, wrote:
On Monday, September 10, 2018 at 11:16:41 AM UTC-5, DerbyDad03 wrote:

What would a clear epoxy finish do? Something like West Systems 207 Clear
Hardener.

In this case, not much. The Hardener may be clear, but mixed with the resin it will discolor. More importantly, in context of using it to finish a piece of wood that will receive foot traffic, epoxy it not a good idea. Unless formulated specifically for wear as a top coat finish, epoxy has poor abrasion resistance.

Robert

I hear you as far as wear. I was being more generic in response to Leon's
comment that any finish will change the appearance of wood.


In any case, I did some looking around and all indications are that the 105
resin and 207 hardener will produce an "exceptionally clear...natural wood"
finish.

I was talking subtle, If you put any finish on half the wood, and no
finish on the other half, you will see a difference. The conditioned
part often looks darker to some degree if for no other reason the color
is brought out better.





One source of that claim:

https://www.jamestowndistributors.co...ct.do?pid=2032

I've never tried the 207 hardener, but I'm thinking about a project where
it might work. I might have to play around a bit.

On 9/11/18 1:16 PM, DerbyDad03 wrote:
On Tuesday, September 11, 2018 at 2:38:27 PM UTC-4, wrote:
On Monday, September 10, 2018 at 11:16:41 AM UTC-5, DerbyDad03 wrote:

What would a clear epoxy finish do? Something like West Systems 207 Clear
Hardener.

In this case, not much. The Hardener may be clear, but mixed with the resin it will discolor. More importantly, in context of using it to finish a piece of wood that will receive foot traffic, epoxy it not a good idea. Unless formulated specifically for wear as a top coat finish, epoxy has poor abrasion resistance.

Robert

I hear you as far as wear. I was being more generic in response to Leon's
comment that any finish will change the appearance of wood.

In any case, I did some looking around and all indications are that the 105
resin and 207 hardener will produce an "exceptionally clear...natural wood"
finish.

One source of that claim:

https://www.jamestowndistributors.co...ct.do?pid=2032

I've never tried the 207 hardener, but I'm thinking about a project where
it might work. I might have to play around a bit.


I use the 207 for both structural and top coats. It does have a very
slight amber cast, but much less than an oil based finish. It also has a
fairly low viscosity compared to other mixes.

-BR