I recently crafted some shelves from maple plywood and I'm looking for advice on finishing them. I've tested a few finishes using bear water-based polyurethane in satin, semi-gloss, and matte, but they all seem to look quite similar after three coats. I'm hoping to achieve a nice natural look that also makes the wood grain pop, almost like it's wet. Any suggestions?
2 Answers
It sounds like you’re mixing up finish types! Satin, semi-gloss, and matte finishes are all non-glossy and contain flattening agents, which is why they're looking similar. If you want a shiny finish, you should try a true gloss finish instead. It’ll give you that wet look you're after!
Great question! I’m curious too about the best option.
I recently used Osmo Poly-X on my quilted maple project, and it turned out beautifully! I recommend giving that a shot. It's a product I came across from fellow Redditors, and it really brings out the wood’s natural color. Plus, I buffed it well for a nice sheen.
Thanks for the tip! Should I go for an oil-based gloss or a water-based one?