Hey everyone! I'm working on a special project to carve a sign for a friend using maple wood and I'm looking for some guidance. I plan to carve words out of it with a CNC machine and would like to paint those words with either spray black paint or epoxy. However, I've noticed that some of the paint or epoxy gets absorbed into the wood grain, leaving unsightly color traces along the edges of the letters.
Also, as a bonus question, I'm curious about the best methods for finishing maple wood. It needs to be food contact safe for items like cutting boards and I want to avoid any finishes that yellow the wood. I've tried plant and mineral oil, but it ended up giving the maple an unattractive yellowish tone. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
3 Answers
A lot of folks recommend Zinsser Seal Coat as a solid sealing option. It's basically a diluted shellac, so it works well to seal the wood and prevent bleeding when you paint or stain. Just make sure you build up enough coats before painting to ensure the best results!
To keep the wood from absorbing color when you paint or stain, you need a compatible clear coat first. Shellac, polyurethane, or clear epoxy are typically good choices. For a finish that won't yellow your maple, I'd suggest a water-based option like WB polyurethane or CAB acrylic lacquer. If you're making something outdoor-friendly, look for finishes with UV protection. Most of these finishes are fine for food contact after curing, but I’d advise against using mineral oil if you're carving into the wood later.
For sealing the wood, avoid anything oil-based if you can, since those tend to yellow the finish. Shellac is a great option — just apply a few coats before you carve, and it should keep the paint from seeping into the wood grain. You can easily wipe off any overspray while it's still wet. Give it a shot!
Thanks for the tip! I'll look into Zinsser Seal Coat.