non darkening finish?

[TAIrving]

What do you use to finish wood that does not darken it?  

I am working on a project for my lady.  She wants to hang it in the kitchen and wants it to stay the natural wood color.  All I have darken the wood, including Teak Oil, Boos board cream, rattle can clear protective spray and spar varnish.  

The project is made of 1/4" mahogany and says "Coffee Before Talkie".  I will post a better picture after I finish it.  

Thanks,

Thurman

Edited April 14, 2021 by Algae
add picture

[Bill WIlson]

Try a waterborne finish.  They do not impart the amber tint that is common with solvent based finishes.  Test on some scrap first to make sure you are satisfied with the look before applying to the finished piece.

[Dan]

My limited experience with mahogany is polyurethane doesn't darken it...at least not much. 

[FrankEV]

All clear or neutral finishes change the color of the wood to some degree, some more that others. 

Even if you touch the bare wood with a damp rag you will see a change in color.   I really do not think there is anything that wont change the color slightly.

All finishes are used to enhance the wood color, mainly adding depth and sheen to its appearance.   IMHO, Mahogany does not look like Mahogany untill an application of a natural finish of some kind.

I like a clear Lacquer for what I consider looking as close to natural as the wood can..  There is a slight color change but I think it brightens the wood...not darkens it... making it look much richer. 

Nice Cutting, BYW, but a contrasting backer would make it read much better.

[Roberta Moreton]

Water based varnish does not affect the color of paint, I painted wood crafts in the ‘80’s. I just tested it on Baltic Birch, no different than water except the sheen, it was gloss  

 

[Tom-in-Ashland]

I second the Lacquer suggestion.  But any finish is going change what the wood looks like - not necessarily by adding color but by changing the way the light reflects and is scattered by it. 

[OCtoolguy]

I use spray shellac. It will bring out the red in the mahogany. Zinnser is the brand.

 

[LarryEA]

Try paste wax.  Finishes of any type – poly, shellac, lacquer, wax  – all change the wood's appearance.

Do a search on " How to get a raw wood look"

Edited April 16, 2021 by LarryEA

[new2woodwrk]

Nicely done.

My question though is the "darkening"

Are the finishes actually "darkening" the wood or are they simply bringing out the natural grains of the wood giving a more richer wood look?

I have used so many different finishes on various project types that I finally settled on Polyurethane gloss for anything that is not a puzzle LOL

It brings out the grains, provides a really nice shine as well a nice protective coating.

It will darken over time, but not enough for me to worry about in my lifetime

 

Edited April 16, 2021 by new2woodwrk

[tomsteve]

general finishes 450 or enduro clear. both are exceptional clears that dont darken wood