Simple woodworking question: previewing clear coat look on raw wood?

[morkus64]

A few years back, a woodworker I was using sent me a picture of what a piece of raw wood that was being used for a table would be look like after it was clearcoated. It was the same piece of wood, and he hadn't actually coated it yet.

I'm wondering what he used to get the picture - some sort of oil, water? In the picture, the wood looked all raw except for the stripe that he rubbed whatever it was on, and that looked basically finished.

Any ideas?

 

[highland145]

water

 

[K7SN]

Tung Oil https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tung_oil

 

[highland145]

That works but it's a coat.

 

[lxskllr]

Photoshop

 

[morkus64]

water

Thanks, I thought that might be it but I wasn't sure. Do you know ho accurately that reflects the look after a clear coat? I have a raw guitar body that I'm working on (first time), and I actually like the look better just plain raw. Do you know if there's a way to achive that look? (I don't mind a bit of the shine, but water on it seems to bring out the yellow of the wood, and I like the paleness of it)

 

[K7SN]

Depends on the wood IMHO water works for better on some woods but really aged wood requires more. I guess it depends on what you consider raw wood? Wood milled within the last year and stored indoors, water would work great. Tung Oil as I use it brings out the grain in planks I've snarfed from buildings, barns and outhouse. and while I would use it on a scrap piece of the wood I intended to make the table rather than a future part. I do agree, try water (it is cheaper) and if your not satisfied then take the next step.

 

[lxskllr]

Thanks, I thought that might be it but I wasn't sure. Do you know ho accurately that reflects the look after a clear coat? I have a raw guitar body that I'm working on (first time), and I actually like the look better just plain raw. Do you know if there's a way to achive that look? (I don't mind a bit of the shine, but water on it seems to bring out the yellow of the wood, and I like the paleness of it)

You could test finishes in the pickup/electronic sockets that will be covered when complete.

 

[Red Squirrel]

Best bet is to experiment with a cut of the same kind of wood. Water will give you the look before it dries. A lot of products are water based, when they water evaporates it leaves the stuff behind, the effect will be different from when it was first applied.

I used Lacquer for a small project mostly since I wanted to protect it from water, and more or less it looks the same as the original wood. It has maybe a bit of a shine to it.

 

[Aharami]

water

you sure about that? Water will raise the grain of the wood, changing its texture. Denatured alcohol won't affect the grain

 

[UnklSnappy]

Thanks, I thought that might be it but I wasn't sure. Do you know ho accurately that reflects the look after a clear coat? I have a raw guitar body that I'm working on (first time), and I actually like the look better just plain raw. Do you know if there's a way to achive that look? (I don't mind a bit of the shine, but water on it seems to bring out the yellow of the wood, and I like the paleness of it)

Water based finishes will be lighter and bring out the least amount of color than lacquer or other solvent based finishes.

 

[Jeraden]

Mineral spirits would be a better liquid to try than water. The wood will soak up some of the water and raise the grain of the wood. So you'd need to re-sand it after it dries. Mineral Spirits won't do that to the same degree.

 

[highland145]

Didn't think about raising the grain with the water. It's going to happen when you stain/seal it anyway.

Curious about the mineral spirits and alcohol so...

For wetting the wood, use mineral spirits (paint thinner) or denatured alcohol. Avoid mineral spirits if you are going to apply a water-based finish because any oily residue from the thinner might cause the finish to bead up. Denatured alcohol will raise the grain a little, so you’ll have to sand it smooth again.

 

[WHAMPOM]

A few years back, a woodworker I was using sent me a picture of what a piece of raw wood that was being used for a table would be look like after it was clearcoated. It was the same piece of wood, and he hadn't actually coated it yet.

I'm wondering what he used to get the picture - some sort of oil, water? In the picture, the wood looked all raw except for the stripe that he rubbed whatever it was on, and that looked basically finished.

Any ideas?

I test finishes on scrap pieces, several stains with half satin, half gloss finish.brushed on.

 

[WHAMPOM]

Didn't think about raising the grain with the water. It's going to happen when you stain/seal it anyway.

Curious about the mineral spirits and alcohol so...

Seal, 220 sand, stain, 360 sand, finish, 360 sand, finish, 400 sand, finish, polish.

 

[Platypus]

I came for the raw wood.

 

[highland145]

But did the raw wood come for you?

 

[Platypus]

But did the raw wood come for you?

Like the RCMP, I always get my man highland145.

 

[WackyDan]

Denatured Alcohol. Oldest trick in the book. Raises grain less.