I'm currently working on an oak beam coffee table and I'm looking for a finish that will protect it without introducing any yellowing. I really love the white color of the raw wood and want to maintain that matte look. Is there a certain type of wax that doesn't yellow, or perhaps another finish that offers good protection without altering the wood's color?
2 Answers
You have a couple of options here. One route is using a harder finish, which might eventually change color over time or be tough to change if you decide to refinish it later. Waxes fall into this category. On the flip side, there are finishes that are less durable but super easy to maintain. For light woods like your oak, a traditional soap finish could be a good choice to help preserve the color while needing periodic maintenance.
Clear shellac is a fantastic option! It’s really user-friendly and won’t change the wood's color much at all. It's not the most durable finish, but it’s incredibly easy to renew or refinish. It has a glossy finish by default, but you can easily make it matte with a bit of sanding.
Absolutely, I think shellac or even a soap finish would work best for your needs. They’re both easy to apply and maintain, plus you can adjust the sheen level to fit your style perfectly.