Expert: Eileen Cronk - 9/3/2007

Question
I am building a rustic cabin in northern Wisconsin. On one wall I plan to put 8" tongue and groove knotty pine boards. I want to maintain the "natural" pine look so I didn't intend to apply any colored stain, yet I want the wall easy to dust and keep clean. Can I simply put on 2 or 3 coats of polyurethane on the new, sanded, and clean pine boards? Of course, sanding with a fine grit sandpaper or Scotchbrite in between coats. Note: I tried this on a sample board and it looks fine. The polyurethane did darken the very white pine boards, but just slightly, and it seemed to bring out the grain a bit, especially the knots. But it does have the appearance I was looking for. Also, is there any reason to put the polyurethane on the back side of the board? Thanks, Vern

Answer
Hi Vern
Nice to hear from you.
It sounds like you may have read my advice about always staining wood before the final finish.
But in this case, you are going in the right direction.
Just apply the poly. Use no more than 3 coats.
There is no need to apply the poly to the back of the boards.
My niece has her entire house this way. The boards have been up for 25 years.
They have certainly darkened over time, and they expand and contract with the changing weather, but thats what wood is supposed to do.
My niece applied the poly after the installation...a big job.
Personally I would finish the boards then install.
The sanding is easier as well as the brushing.
As long as you sand between coats and the boards are nice and smooth after finishing, dusting will be easy.
Its the rough areas that collect dust and dirt.
Great project
Regards
Eileen