What are the best finishes to use for Olive Wood?
Using clear finishes on olive wood requires careful selection to enhance its natural beauty without undesirably altering its color. Olive wood has a beautiful, distinctive grain that benefits from finishes that bring out the pattern without darkening it excessively.
Best Types of Clear Finishes for Olive Wood
Water-based finishes are generally recommended for olive wood if you want to maintain its light, natural look without ambering or darkening. These finishes are "water-white," meaning they dry clear and do not impart color to the wood. Popular water-based options include water-based polyurethane or clear water-based lacquers, which also offer good protection and a natural appearance. General Finishes Enduro-Var is a well-regarded waterborne polyurethane that provides durability while maintaining clarity.
Oil-based finishes such as Tung oil, Walnut oil, or boiled Linseed oil can enhance the grain’s depth and produce a warm tone, but they tend to amber or darken the wood. If using oil finishes, some woodworkers apply shellac as a barrier coat before applying a water-based topcoat to combine the best qualities of both. However, this approach needs careful timing, especially with Linseed oil, which requires full drying before the water-based coat.
Before applying any finish, prepare the surface by sanding smoothly and optionally filling pores if aiming for a glass-like smooth finish. Olive wood is naturally oily, so wipe the surface with mineral spirits or naptha to remove surface oils and see how the finish might look. Oils and wax finishes can also be applied, but wax tends to leave less durable protection.
· Test finishes on a scrap piece first to assess the color change and durability.
· For projects requiring food safety or frequent handling, water-based finishes or hard wax oils are preferred as they produce less film and remain clear.
· Avoid finishes that darken the wood if you want to retain the olive wood’s bright, fresh appearance.
· Consider multiple thin coats rather than thick layers for best results.
In summary, water-based clear finishes are typically the best choice to preserve the natural, light appearance of olive wood, while oil-based finishes add warmth but may darken the wood. Proper preparation and testing are key to achieving an optimal finish for this distinctive wood.