We often go out of our way to use the most dramatic, figured wood we can find, but even that is not quite enough. We want to enhance that look with the finish, not diminish it. As a result,
I am often asked “How can I pop the grain?”
Figured maple (curly, birdseye, or quilted) is a good example. It has lots of depth but its subtle, almost uniform color can leave the character hidden. Here are two simple ways to show it off to its best.
Boiled linseed oil is the simplest–and one of the most effective–tools to pop the figure. Slather the raw wood liberally, let the oil soak in for about 10 minutes, then wipe off all the excess. Let it dry overnight, and repeat the process if you like. The oil will add translucence and depth (called “chatoyance” in finishing parlance) without changing the color too much. Once the oil is dried overnight, seal it and finish it. If you are using a waterborne topcoat, it is wise to seal it first with dewaxed shellac. For lacquer or oil based coatings, the sealer coat is not needed.
A light stain will also add contrast to the figure. I like to use a very dilute water soluble dye in a moderately dark color. Flood it on, wipe it all off while it is still wet. Scrub with clear water and Scotchbrite® to make sure all of the excess is removed. You can even sand lightly once the wood dries to add more contrast. This will add a bit more color to the wood than the oil would, and will make the contrast in the figure or birdseyes even more dramatic.
As always, please try these techniques on scrap first. As I often intone, “Fabulous finishers frequently finish firewood first.”
Gentle reminder: A modest donation to this finishing blog can keep it going to help others. Thanks!
Leave a Reply