How to finish birdseye maple

I am a woodworker and I have customer wanting a vanity made from birdseye maple,, I have no problem with making this vanity, but I have never used birdseye maple and do not know how to finish. I want the birdseye to pop out. Any suggestions out there. My experience with finishing is with oil based stains and water based polyurethanes.

Welcome to the forum Marc:2tsup:, can't help you with the finish but many on here who can. Hope to see pictures of the finished product once complete.

HH.

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Originally Posted by marc53

I am a woodworker and I have costumer wanting a vanity made from birdseye maple,, I have no problem with making this vanity, but I have never used birdseye maple and do not know how to finish. I want the birdseye to pop out. Any suggestions out there. My experience with finishing is with oil based stains and water based polyurethanes.

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Marc,

a gloss finish will make the birdseye pop out more than a satin or matt.

Zelk

:iagree:

First apply a coat or two of Boiled Linseed Oil.

You wipe it on, let it set for 5 minutes, then wipe it off, and then allow it to dry. Once dry, you can apply a second coat, or you can start to apply your clear coats.

Always, make up a complete finished sample before you "start" your project, so you can see how it will look.

I see no reason to change from oil finish and poly over. I used Scandinavian oil on the box below, then Trad wax. I think that proper preparation is the key. Sand to 400g, then oil and continue to sand up to about 12-1500g, then wipe off with a clean rag. I think you'll be amazed at the finish even before adding your poly coats.

Regards,

Rob

BLO is good. Scand/Danish Oil is good. Just don't stain it! :wink: