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."
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