I absolutely love the natural look of black walnut before applying any finishes. After sanding with 220 or 320 grit, I've noticed that most top coats I use, especially polyurethane, tend to alter the color more than I'd like. I've mostly used satin or glossier finishes, but I'm curious if there's a matte finish that you guys have found that maintains the original color and doesn't affect the sheen too much. Any suggestions?
4 Answers
You should definitely try a water-based matte polyurethane! I've used it on cherry, and it barely changes the color at all.
Yeah, I'm with you on this one - it's a great option.
I've used Osmo on my walnut slab and it gives a look that's pretty close to when it's wet with water, plus it has a nice satin sheen. It’s held up really well on my dinner table too.
General Finishes makes a series of flat finishes that are awesome! They can get pricey, but the look is great. Just watch out because they attract dust easily.
I really like General Finishes as well!
Sounds like something I should consider. Thanks for the recommendation!
A hardwax oil like Rubio Monocoat or Osmo Polyx could be a game changer. I prefer Osmo since it looks pretty similar and doesn't require a complicated two-part mixture.
I'm tired of dealing with all that mixing too! If Osmo looks close enough, I'm definitely interested.
I've never tried either of those. I'll have to check them out!
Thanks for the tip! I'll test it out on a sample piece.