A True CLEAR Finish, How?

I don't think it is possible to do what you're asking. Any coating you put on the wood is going to refract light in a different way to the raw timber. Having said that, the closest I've seen to true clear finish is clear acrylic lacquer. I have some here that is designed for use with timber but you can get similar products that are used in automotive work (in fact my stuff comes from an automotive paint manufacturer). It just so happens that I have used it on clear pine and it does not add a yellow cast. Nevertheless it still darkens the timber somewhat. I think anything that absorbs into the wood is going to do this, no matter how clear it is.

KorDes and SC are on the right track, NC lacquer is about the clearest non-colouring finish, the catch... needs to be sprayed on.

A lot of elbow grease..........:oo:

most pines will darken over time no matter what you do to it the whitewash idea sounds the most likely to produce your desired result

Don't get confused here - NC lacquer if clear when put on ( it usually has a slight yellow tone will yellow quickly due to the effect of light ( just as NC tape -sticky tape does).

The non yellowing clear is "acrylic lacquer" a different paint, the best ones are automotive as they are made to apply to cars and last in direct sunlight. They will last years compared to NC used the same way which will turn yellow and then black within months.

Even better solution is a two pack auto enamel clear that is used on modern vehicles over all colours, metallics and pearl colours. it is the best clearest finish available not only guaranteed to last years but dries to a rock hard finish.

and it goes over timber quite nicely

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Originally Posted by durwood

Don't get confused here - NC lacquer if clear when put on ( it usually has a slight yellow tone will yellow quickly due to the effect of light ( just as NC tape -sticky tape does).

The non yellowing clear is "acrylic lacquer" a different paint, the best ones are automotive as they are made to apply to cars and last in direct sunlight. They will last years compared to NC used the same way which will turn yellow and then black within months.

Even better solution is a two pack auto enamel clear that is used on modern vehicles over all colours, metallics and pearl colours. it is the best clearest finish available not only guaranteed to last years but dries to a rock hard finish.

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Thanks durwood for that great explaination. Sounds like you are right, and that the auto finishings or 2pak enamel paints are the best option. Unfortunately, I was looking for a satin finish. I would certainly take this advice on board the next time I would like a high gloss clear finish.

You can get the auto clears in satin ( low gloss) there is available agents to allow the gloss level to be reduced. Normally the painter adds a proportion to the mix the more he adds the less gloss you get. So you can control the gloss level anywhere from full to flat.

A lot of parts on cars are not gloss because they reflect light to much so they are dulled off. Examples: wipers, dash boards other trim bits also bonnet blakk outs such as the GT cars . All the colour systems have a flatting agent to reduce gloss.

These products are not available to the general public and only the trade normally has access to them.

The stuff I mentioned above comes in 30%, 50% and full gloss. As I said, it's acrylic lacquer, not NC. It is water-clear. Made by Concept Paints who are an automotive paint manufacturer but this particular product is designed for use on timber.

I bought it from my local Bristol paint shop.