Finishing oak with finesse

The following slides show the look of red oak with various finishes. Because of oak's cellular structure, the pigments in oil-based stains collect more in the wood's open grain areas, while the smoother, denser, surrounding areas retain less. This can result in strong light/dark contrasts. A 180-grit final sanding may neutralize this contrast. In addition, you may find that oak has small regions of fibers with a lot of cellulose (technically called tension wood) that absorb stain better than the other areas. Though subtle compared with pine, this uneven absorption can give oak a blotchy appearance. If it occurs on a stained and finished test piece, try sealing the next test piece prior to staining, using a conditioner, sanding sealer, or wash coat. You also can add stain pigments to the clear finish to reduce blotching.

Finish Pros

• Very easy to apply
• Good moisture resistance
• Easy to maintain, just apply another coat
• Natural appearance

Finish Cons

• Slow drying time, and finish can "bleed" back out of pores for several hours
• Little or no surface protection
• Dull and lifeless appearance
• Mechanical bond only

Finish Pros

• Good clarity, no yellowing of wood
• Easy to apply
• Good moisture resistance
• Good durability
• Good for the environment
• Water cleanup
• Fast-drying; projects can be fully finished in one day

Finish Cons

• Hard to repair
• Difficult to polish
• Mechanical bond only
• Gives oak a "cold" appearance

Finish Pros

• Very durable, some tinting possible
• Great moisture resistance
• Good scratch resistance
• Good clarity

Finish Cons

• Slow-drying
• Prone to collect dust during application
• Difficult to repair and touch up
• Lifting or wrinkling may occur after second coat; avoid this by adhering to the re-coat time frame per manufacturer's directions
• Mechanical bond only

Finish Pros

• Great clarity, gives wood "depth"; orange shellac gives wood an amber hue
• Fast-drying; projects can be fully finished in one day
• Each new layer "burns" into the previous forming a chemical bond
• Easy to tint with alcohol dyes
• Easy to repair
• Can re-coat at any time

Finish Cons

• Poor chemical resistance
• Marginal moisture resistance
• Short shelf life (about six months for flakes); pay attention to dates when buying premixed shellac in cans, again, avoiding material older than six months

Finish Pros

• Fast drying
• Easily tinted
• Easy to repair
• Good moisture and chemical resistance
• Great clarity, especially with gloss lacquer; too many coats with satin lacquer will result in a "foggy" appearance
• Polishes and rubs out to a mirror finish
• Each new layer "burns" into the previous, forming a chemical bond
• Lack of a flatting agent in the gloss film means more strength and durability

Finish Cons

• Harsh solvent content; use in well-ventilated area
• Fume build-up could result in an explosion if in presence of pilot light, electric motor, etc.
• For best results, spray equipment is required

Note: All samples are from the same red oak board and use the same color stain (Minwax Dark Walnut).
* Gloss finishes reflect light far more in actual wood than in photographs of the samples.