how to bring out natural colours in wood

[MissAdventerous]

I have some driftwood and when I cleaned it in water the colours were amazing. Now, that it has dried out the colours have gone. I have tried varnishing it but it dosnt look as good and the colours are not as vibrant.

 

What do you use yo bring out the natural colours?

[muttley9050]

Oils are much better at bringing out colours than varnish. Depending on application I use linseed, tung or danish oil.

James

[MissAdventerous]

Thanks, what is the diffrrence between those types?

[MissAdventerous]

I have found some info on linseed, tung and danish.

 

Linseed - is wateproof with a slight tint.

 

Tung - no info found yet.

 

Danish - is waterproof with no colour change.

 

So based on the above which one will bring out the naturak colours that are visible when the wood is wet from water?

[TGB]

If it's going to be outside, you could leave it bare and have the colouring change as the weather does.

[woody paul]

Boiled linseed oil

[Woodworks]

Oils are probably going to be your best bet but what sort of varnish did you try. I ask as acrylic varnishes (the ones where you can clean your brush in water) tend to leave a pale milky finish without much depth. The polyurethanes (clean brush in white spirits) leave a much deeper colour and can look nice IMO. Back to oils.

 

All the oils mentioned are good.

 

Linseed will probably darken the most but is slow to dry and will need many coats. Boiled linseed dries faster and will not darken the wood quite so much.

 

Tung oil dries fairly quickly but can leave a slightly yellow tinge.

 

Danish will give a colour change but it is fairly natural.

 

All give water resistance but waterproof is going a bit far

 

Different brands of danish may give different colours. I have only used the Rustins.

 

One more to consider is Liberon finishing oil, similar to danish but a bit less messy in my experience.

 

These are only my opinions and you will find as many views on finishing as there are makers in this world

Edited May 25, 2013 by Woodworks

[muttley9050]

I use tung for food safe items. 7 coats usually. Boiled linseed as a general finish, again 7 coats, my most frequently used finish. Danish oil for a slightly more hard wearing finish or with light weather exposure. Osmo wood protection oil also very good and very green if you consider these things.

[slackbladder]

OSMO exterior grade oil

best ever

[MissAdventerous]

Thank you everyone for your replies, I guess I need to the try a few types to find out what my preferance is. Glad I know where to start now. Will probably try non-acrylic varnish and also boiled linseed.

 

Cheers.