Finishing Oak Furniture

[kreisdorph]

Howdy, folks. I'm active in the Woodturning forum here, but don't do much flatwork. I have purchased a dining room set from the Amish. It is unfinished, in red oak. Given what I know at present, I'd probably go with Waterlox. I did a test section and it is very light colored, but everything should darken over time.

I'm curious to know what the pros think. What's your go-to finish for oak furniture?

 

[Canuck]

Waterlox is my goto on rift/quarter sawn red oak, too! Easy to apply multiple coats, nice clear finish and dead easy to repair.

Wayne

 

[Bill Clemmons]

If you want it to darken just a little and take on a sort of instant patina, try an oil varnish for the first coat. You can make your own with one part each of varnish / boiled linseed oil / mineral spirits.

Then come back with something like Waterlox for a top coat.

 

[Ricksmi]

I prefer Waterlox on red oak, very easy to apply and always looks great...

 

[mkepke]

If you want it to darken just a little and take on a sort of instant patina, try an oil varnish for the first coat. You can make your own with one part each of varnish / boiled linseed oil / mineral spirits.

Then come back with something like Waterlox for a top coat.

Waterlox (the original anyways) is an oil varnish, isn't it?

For instant patina, I suggest the OP looks at a first coat of something like Watco Danish Oil in Walnut or dark Walnut, then top-coat as you please. You could also just tint the Waterlox, but you'll probably spend more on tints than a can of Watco.

This is on white oak, but hopefully useful:

-Mark

 

[kreisdorph]

Waterlox (the original anyways) is an oil varnish, isn't it?

For instant patina, I suggest the OP looks at a first coat of something like Watco Danish Oil in Walnut or dark Walnut, then top-coat as you please. You could also just tint the Waterlox, but you'll probably spend more on tints than a can of Watco.

This is on white oak, but hopefully useful:

-Mark

I do have a can of Watco Danish oil sitting in the shop. I'll do a test piece.