Jgr327 Posted June 17, 2015 Report Share Posted June 17, 2015 hello, I'm new to this site and looking for some advice. Im a jr wood worker and making my first table. I got some cedar from a buddy that was milled up like 20 years ago. Im making a dining table out of it. Im finding out that cedar is a very soft wood, but it doesn't matter. I am alright with some dings and dents. The table top is already done, but Im having some issues finding a finish that will not cause the wood to darken. This is what I did on scrap. I used a torch to burn the top a bit and then brushed it off. I really like the colour and the feel the burning does. My issues is when I apply any finish to it its causing the wood to darken a lot. I would like to keep the way it looks naturally. I sprayed minwax poly satin, tung oil (which i figured would darken it), and minwax polycrylic satin brushed on. whats my best way to finish the top and give it some durability. thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stobes21 Posted June 17, 2015 Report Share Posted June 17, 2015 Is this an indoor or outdoor table? Assuming it's indoor your best best for not adding any color at all would be a water based finish. Minwax polycrylic is available at home centers. General finishes high performance is somewhat harder to obtain but gets better reviews. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jgr327 Posted June 17, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 17, 2015 indoor table. I put the polycrylic on and it darkened the wood a lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted June 17, 2015 Report Share Posted June 17, 2015 Is this western red cedar, easter aromatic cedar (juniper), or sime other variety? My experience with finishing is limited to eastern aromatic cedar, but it seems that the nice red color turns brown eventually, no matter what. My best suggestion is to try a clear spray lacquer. I doubt it will be much better than polycrylic, but its worth a shot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weithman5 Posted June 17, 2015 Report Share Posted June 17, 2015 i like the look of cedar and teak oil but this may darken also. blo maybe won't darken it quite so much. something you may want to try is just a bit of a paste wax, but even before this why not try just some clear shellac. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spdeplayer2 Posted June 23, 2015 Report Share Posted June 23, 2015 I wouldn't use a finish and top it with either liquid glass or an epoxy resin, could be exspensive thou. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted June 24, 2015 Report Share Posted June 24, 2015 I wouldn't use a finish and top it with either liquid glass or an epoxy resin, could be exspensive thou. I've been wondering about resin coatings, how to they react to wood movement? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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