Expert: Jamie Yocono - 8/21/2005

Question
Hi Jamie,
Have used Watco DOF over oak on a number of projects including a well protected exterior door,window millwork,and casings and it not only looks great but has held up remarkably well over the course of 7-10 years.
I am having some kitchen cabinets made and would like the same look, but I'm sure the cabinets would need a protective coating (polyurethane?) or something similar.
My cabinet guys have provided their standard
stain samples as well as a custom mix and nothing
they have shown me gives the same apperance (the
accentuated grain look that the Watco gives off).
Is the issue with water based stains as apposed to oil based/oil finishes,or is it something I know nothing about?
I would like to just hand these guys enough Watco
to do the job if they can't get the look I want, but I don't know if whatever protective coating they are putting over the finish would create a compatibility problem or not.
Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance,

Bruce

Answer
Hey Bruce-

I'm with you- I love the look of Watco. In fact, it's the only finish I use, and I liked it so much, when I first started using it, I became a dealer. I tell my customers ahead of time that if they want a finish other than Watco, they will have to take the piece unfinished and either do it themselves, or take it to a wood finisher. I feel that strongly about it.

In my old home, I used Watco exclusively throughout, and yes, there were a couple of times I had some accidents. I remember a time when a can of something burst in a drawer, and stained the drawer bottom, which was Oak plywood. I ended up replacing the bottom, it was such an ugly stain. But for the most part- the good things about Watco -the "feel" of wood, the grain enhancement, and the color it produces, seems worth it to me. And it's really easy to repair- so if I find a scratch, I can get a piece of 220 sandpaper and a teaspoon of Watco and sand out any blemish. Try doing that with a varnished surface.

Anyway- you're a fan, so I don't need to convince you.  

There are 2 suggestions or things I would suggest to you with this dilemma. First- after Watco cures, you can varnish over it. So you could give your cabinet guys a can of Watco and have them apply a coat or two, and then apply their regular finish over it. You'll get the best of both worlds- the look and color with the Watco, and the protection of a varnish. So you COULD use both, and you and your cabinetmaker will both get your way.

The second suggestion is a finish that many woodworkers use who don't like the fact that Watco doesn't offer superior protection. A lot of people mix their own concoction, and it's fairly simple to do. And- you can tweak it to do a few things you need it to do. Basically, the recipe calls for a 3 part mixture- one-third boiled linseed oil, one-third spar varnish, and one-third turpentine.  Garrett Hack, who I met recently, wrote an article about this exact finish in Fine Woodworking magazine. It's in issue #122, on page 48. I'm not sure if you have access to back issues, but that article will give you all the information you need about this finish. You could try Taunton Press and see if you can order a back issue, if you don't have it.

Basically, the 3 part combo offers the best of all worlds. It's applied with a rag, flooding the surface. Let it soak in a bit, and wipe it off. On the first coat, you could mix it a little thinner (with more turp) to make it soak in better. And then the final coat, could make it ever so slightly less thin, for more protection. It's quite forgiving and very easy to use. In fact, I'm sure if you look around, you'll find some info about it online.

My personal opinion- use the Watco and be careful in your kitchen. It's so much easier to repair and touch up. Or - have them experiment with their finish over an oiled surface. Just make sure it's very dry and cured, like 7-10 days. Good luck, I hope this helps. Feel free to write back with any other questions you might have after reading this.

Jamie Yocono
Wood It Is! Custom Cabinetry
www.wooditis.com
Las Vegas, NV