finish on maranti

[eddy merckx]

I'm finally getting close to finishing an asian-style sideboard. I started this project in January and the learning curve has been steep.

Anyway, my wife picked out the wood (maranti) because she liked the tone and because it kind of matches the Brazilian (bazillion if you ask me) Cherry floor. Always good to please the customer. I decided to finish it in shellac with wax over. Picked up some amber shellac at HD and tried it on some scrap (I have lots because of some design opportunities). Maranti has very open pores which the shellac darkened. The result looks cheap and cheezy to my eye, like something from a budget import store. What I'm really after is the wood grain and color the be the focus, rather than the pores.

I have heard of sealing wood with clear shellac and staining over top. I'm not keen on stain though. I also have heard of using wood filler to seal the pores.

Any advice for a novice finisher?

Thanks, Eddy

[smc331]

Do a Google search on "French Polish" - especially read up on "Rotten Stone" - I'll be doing that on my next dulcimer. Makes a wonderful finish....

[eddy merckx]

Oh man Scott, that sounds like a lot of work! I can't imagine my shop being free of dust for a week. Might be willing to do it if it looks really good though. Have you ever tried it on a large piece of furniture?

Eddy

[leehljp]

Water based clears does not darken as much as oil based. Since you are experimenting, you might want to try that as a sealer, then sand or scrape it down smooth and see what your shellac looks like over that.

Are you looking for a glossy/simi-glossy finish or satin? Either way, a good finish does not usually come without lots of elbo grease. It is the work of the hands and tools that really enhance the finish or paints.

[eddy merckx]

Thanks Hank, I will experiment with that. I was thinking of a semi gloss finish.

Eddy

[cabinetman]

I try not to use shellac as a sealer. Sometimes it does too good of a job. I've had it dry so fast that some areas became worse than others.

I've used wood "conditioners", such as this stuff, to create a more predictable finish. You can get conditioners that are compatible with the stain and top coat you want to use.