Traditional wood oils such as tung oil or linseed oil can be used to finish maple and to bring out the curly, or tiger grain of the wood.
It would be better to finish with a cab acrylic lacquer or a water based polyurethane to keep the finish clear. Without a stain a water based polyurethane usually has a really bland look on maple. You can counter this by wiping the wood down with boiled linseed oil.
I recommend an acrylic finish, and you can go two routes: This has both the advantage of being colorless when dry and, due to the coalescing nature of the way it forms a film, of keeping the finish resin on the surface of the wood.
The main difference is that Tung Oil dries to a matt finish, whereas Danish Oil dries to a satin / semi-gloss finish.
To achieve a smooth and glossy finish on wood, apply multiple thin coats of clear finish, sanding between coats to remove imperfections. Finish with a fine-grit sandpaper and polish for added shine.
Due to the dense grain of maple, linseed oil doesn't penetrate well and can result in a blotchy appearance. Tung oil has no issues penetrating the dense maple grain, and because it dries clear, it's a great finish for lighter colored woods.
Whilst there are many 'old school' wood oils, the most commonly used are without a doubt Danish oil, Teak oil, Tung oil and to a lesser degree Linseed oil. There is no set formula for Teak or Danish oil meaning that they can vary from brand to brand.
Use Dewaxed Shellac for Your Best “Clear” Finish On Curly Maple. Of all the basic clear topcoats you can choose from, dewaxed shellac provides a surprising chatoyance that you just don't get with other finishes.
It's super easy to apply! Wipe it on and wipe excess off and let it dry. I usually wait 3 days for it to fully cure. I only use Danish oil on cherry and maple wood since those woods already have a warm grain colour.
By being able to directly compare LD50 values, we can see that chemicals in Danish Oil are not as toxic as benzene but almost 3 times more toxic than gasoline. There is no doubt that Danish Oil contains some toxic substances.
Use deeper brown- or black-based stains for a maple look that resembles the appearance of natural walnut or ebony. Lighter stains leverage maple's naturally light color to brighten a room.
To do this job correctly, you should stain the piece the desired color, and seal the wood, sand it smooth, and then top coat it. This system will give you the best results, and a good long lasting finish.
MAPLE WOOD: NATURALLY BEAUTIFUL
Use a lightly damp cloth to gently clean the surface of any fingerprints and marks. Using a dirt-free cloth perhaps even an old white tee shirt apply your furniture polish to the fabric and then clean the wood evenly in the direction of the grain.
A treatment like a sealer or wood conditioner will help limit stain penetration and support a more uniform color since the wood absorbs stain unevenly.
Wait at least 6 months and up to 12 months for dry firewood depending on type of wood. Hardwoods like oak and maple dry more slowly than soft woods like pine and spruce. To ensure dry firewood, wait at least 12 months before burning.
Hard maple, or sugar maple, is the most durable of the maple species with a janka value of 1,450, which makes it one of the hardest domestic woods used in furniture making. There are many varieties of soft maple wood, though the most common are the striped maple, silver maple, red maple, bigleaf maple, and box elder.
Appearance: Linseed Oil enhances the wood's natural grain and color, providing a warm, matte finish. It doesn't produce a glossy sheen like Danish Oil, which can be preferable for those seeking a more natural appearance.
Shake the Danish Oil well before use. If you are unsure of the finish, test it on spare wood, or an unseen area first. This will give you an indication of what the Danish Oil finish will be like after use. Apply the Danish Oil liberally to a Foam Brush then wipe onto the surface following the direction of the grain.
When applied in coats over wood, Danish oil cures to a hard satin finish that resists liquid well. As the finished coating is not glossy or slippery, it is a suitable finish for items such as food utensils or tool handles, giving some additional water resistance and also leaves a dark finish to the wood.
COMPOSITION: Antique Oil Finish consists of linseed oil alkyd resin, driers and additives in a mineral spirits solvent.
French polishing is a wood finishing technique that results in a very high gloss surface, with a deep colour and chatoyancy. French polishing consists of applying many thin coats of shellac dissolved in denatured alcohol using a rubbing pad lubricated with one of a variety of oils.
When it comes to strength and durability, maple and oak are some of the best kitchen cabinet materials you can have. After all, they're both hardwoods. That being said, maple is a slightly stronger hardwood product than oak. Maple is one of the strongest and most durable natural wood options available.
Finishing Oil is thinner as it is made from a combination of tung oil and resins, so is more for use on furniture to create a water resistant finish. Danish oil is slightly thicker so it can be a little more difficult to work with if you do not apply this thinly, but you still get a superb finish and wood protection.
Oil is one of the most popular ways to finish wood thanks to its ability to replenishing the natural oils that you find in the wood, plus it provides added oils to improve its performance. Wood oil can be used on both interior & exterior wood in the form of furniture, decking and floors, to name a few.
Oil and Vinegar
This mixture will bring a dried out piece of wood back to life and is perfect for furniture that has light water damage but mostly just looks old and worn out because it's been stored in the garage, basement, or attic for too long.