finishing for wenge?

[dustin510]

I've made a stool out of canary wood and wenge. The seat is book matched wenge and canary to look like an owl face or something. I'm wondering what sort of finish to use that won't give the wenge too much of a homogeneous dark tone. I still want to see the grain contrast well. Any thoughts? :dontknow:

 

[Jeremy Scuteri]

I believe water based finishes are supposed to be crystal clear. You might go that route.

 

[Bill Clemmons]

I believe water based finishes are supposed to be crystal clear. You might go that route.

+1. Oil based finishes, as well as shellac and lacquer will darken slightly over time. If you want to protect it without any change in color, go w/ a water based finish, like polyurethane.

 

[Roy G]

Is there any chance that the wenge will bleed onto the Canarywood? if there is that chance, go with something like lacquer. Any wipe-on finish might smear the wenge over onto the canary.

Roy G

 

[Jeff]

A tidbit for info. Wenge tends to lighten in sunlight (last sentence here).

http://www.wood-database.com/wood-articles/preventing-color-changes-in-exotic-woods/

I think that you'll be okay with a clear shellac like Zinsser SealCoat. It's also available in rattle cans for smaller projects.