[woodtrapper]

I could use a little help on this one.When I have a light colored wood that I do not want to stain but keep the origonal color,the color leaves when I seal it .Currently I am usuing Deft clear wood satin finish.When I aply this to my faces made from rhodendren it looks like I used a light colored stain.Is there a different finish or oil I could use to save the origonal wood color?

[Just Carving]

If you use an acrylic wood finish, the wood color will remain the same.

Here's a link:
http://www.rd.com/content/openConten...ontentId=19556

[Alice in Wonderland]

I am using a lot of waterbourne poly for the same reason, since I do not paint my work I like to keep the color of the wood as true as possible. if I want the grain to be emphasized I use BLO leave it on for 15-30 minutes depending on the porosity of the wood and wipe it off ,I wait until all smell is gone and then I use the W.P. it works for me
Alice

[BasketballJones]

Try Minwax natural stain. Hands down the best on the market in my opinion and I've tried many. My wife prefers a natural finnish to the furniture I make (sadly you can buy furniture cheaper). I prefer colored stain. She finnished one son's dresser, used 4-6 coats and no polyurethane.

It sits directly in the sunlight of the window, has withstood pop stain spills without discoloration. She could have layered more coats but it wasn't needed. The extra coats didn't cloud the natural finnish. She waited one day between each coat, did some mild sanding but not much effort required. Sold me on the natural look.

[macktruck]

I've used johnson's paste wax on some of the spoons I made out of cherry. They don't oxidize as quickly as the ones I leave natural. I don't know how it would hold up on a walking staff though.
Macktruck

[woodtrapper]

Thanks for the tips everyone.Time for some experiments.

[wallabycreek]

would you know a good recipie for penatrol please.i tried to make some and faild.