Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/Finishes for ash bed

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Expert: - 11/29/2008


Question
Hi Greg,

I am building a bed for my daughter out of ash lumber. I am purchasing
rough cut ash and making an effort to keep the wood as light (not dark) as
possible. I am comfortable with the carpentry aspects of the project, but do
not have a good idea about how best to finish the wood.  The bed will be
going in a room with natural maple floors. All of the other surfaces in the
room are painted. (I would have loved to build the bed out of maple, but my
budget would not permit it.)

What would be a fairly simple and attractive way to finish this bed? I would
prefer to use water based finishes, although this is not an absolute.

Thank you for your help.

Answer
Hi Steven, the lightest, clearest, and easiest finish to use would be an Acrylic Urethane like:
http://www.lastnlast.com/CDucwf.html#
These finishes are "water white", meaning almost perfectly clear when dry, but if you'd like something a bit warmer, you could use a wipe on polyurethane like the General Gel Urethane...
http://www.generalfinishes.com/finishes/oil-base-finishes/oilbase.htm
another fave of mine, and goof proof. It's an oil based product, but self leveling and fairly quick drying, and will impart a bit more "straw" like warmth to the wood. These both can be padded on, brushed, or even applied with a pad painter....hope that helps- regards- Greg

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Greg Scholl

Expertise

Questions on Woodworking, wood finishing and refinishing of all kinds, repairing furniture and wooden objects, Architectural details, Woodturning, carving, tool usage, product usage, some chemistry as it applies to woodworking and related interests,cabinet making and furniture construction/design, etc. I have experience with all manners of colorants, finishes, paints, stains, dyes, glazes, and coatings, wood species recognition and usage,tool recommendations, blade types and recommendation,techniques and methods for many Woodworking related issues, etc.

Experience

Fine furniture restorer and cabinet maker for over 30 years,serving high end Antique dealers, Interior designers, Collectors in the CT area. Consulting for area Painting/Decorating and Building contractors on non painting issues..(staining, wood prep.,clear finishing, floor restoration and architectural detail restoration and repair, etc.) Sold, built, serviced, setup Home, Industrial, and Commercial stationary woodworking tools for a major tool retailer in CT. for three years, sold hand and power tools , provided knowledge, parts replacement, service, and on site service, Trade show Demo, and training as well.

Publications
Published in Fine Woodworking Magazine (12/97), included on Fine Woodworkings first "Best of Fine Woodworking" CD-ROM (2002) ...("27 year compilation of expert know-how")

Education/Credentials
Art School at Silvermine Guild in Norwalk, CT., 9 year apprenticeship in a European run Cabinet and Restoration shop in CT., various classes on subjects having to do with the field. Seminars from major Tool manufacturers, Skil/Bosch, Delta, Powermatic, Ritter, Porter cable, Milwaukee, Dewalt/B&Decker, Performax.

Past/Present Clients
Many varied clients including work on Martha Stewarts' Westport, CT. show house, many fine Antique dealers and private collectors in and around Fairfield County and in Woodbury, CT. (the Antiques capital of CT.), Golden Age of Trucking Museum, Wilton Historical Society.

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