Hello,
I'm building a blanket/toy chest out of black walnut for my soon to be nephew. This is my first time working with anything other than QSWO. My other projects (QSWO), I stain for an arts and crafts look and top with Arm-R-Seal Satin Oil + Urethane.
I've tested a couple of scrap walnut panels. I really dislike the look of the Arm-R-Seal. I dont know if its because of the finer grain of the walnut or what, but it just looks plasticy and bad. Also, it seems like it shows the dust nibs a lot worse than the oak.
I also tested Sam Maloof's finish that I picked up at Rockler (yes I know i can make it myself). I really like the look of it after just 3 coats so far. The richness and depth of the walnut is beautiful. I havent yet tried the wax finish that he uses… But, I'm concerned about the durability. I tested it by leaving a sweaty glass on a piece finished with 3 coats of maloof and another one on a piece finished with 2 coats of Arm-R-Seal. After 6 hours I removed it, and there was a clear water mark left on the maloof piece. Absolutely no evidence on the Arm-R-Seal piece. Next I put a single coat of Arm-R-Seal over the maloof, and that seemed to prevent any marking from water.
In addition, the maloof piece shows scratches and abrasion much more easily than the Arm-R-Seal piece.
If this were just a blanket chest for myself, I wouldnt worry about using Maloof. But since this is going to my unborn nephew, I'm guessing its going to get a lot of abuse over the years. It'll probably be used as a toy chest at some point. But, I really dont like the look of the Arm-R-Seal. Even the single coat over Maloof seems to ruin the pop of the grain and creates dust nibs everywhere.
Anyone have a suggestion for a better top coat to put over the Maloof to better protect the wood? I'm definitely interested in this for my next project as well: dining room table…
Thanks!
I'm building a blanket/toy chest out of black walnut for my soon to be nephew. This is my first time working with anything other than QSWO. My other projects (QSWO), I stain for an arts and crafts look and top with Arm-R-Seal Satin Oil + Urethane.
I've tested a couple of scrap walnut panels. I really dislike the look of the Arm-R-Seal. I dont know if its because of the finer grain of the walnut or what, but it just looks plasticy and bad. Also, it seems like it shows the dust nibs a lot worse than the oak.
I also tested Sam Maloof's finish that I picked up at Rockler (yes I know i can make it myself). I really like the look of it after just 3 coats so far. The richness and depth of the walnut is beautiful. I havent yet tried the wax finish that he uses… But, I'm concerned about the durability. I tested it by leaving a sweaty glass on a piece finished with 3 coats of maloof and another one on a piece finished with 2 coats of Arm-R-Seal. After 6 hours I removed it, and there was a clear water mark left on the maloof piece. Absolutely no evidence on the Arm-R-Seal piece. Next I put a single coat of Arm-R-Seal over the maloof, and that seemed to prevent any marking from water.
In addition, the maloof piece shows scratches and abrasion much more easily than the Arm-R-Seal piece.
If this were just a blanket chest for myself, I wouldnt worry about using Maloof. But since this is going to my unborn nephew, I'm guessing its going to get a lot of abuse over the years. It'll probably be used as a toy chest at some point. But, I really dont like the look of the Arm-R-Seal. Even the single coat over Maloof seems to ruin the pop of the grain and creates dust nibs everywhere.
Anyone have a suggestion for a better top coat to put over the Maloof to better protect the wood? I'm definitely interested in this for my next project as well: dining room table…
Thanks!
