How should I finish walnut furniture without oil based products?

I’d use shellac. Its simple and it meets all of your requirements. If the finish starts to wear from contact with “liquids” just reapply.

-- No craft is very far from the line beyond which is magic. -- Lord Dunsany — Instagram @grailwoodworks

I agree with Ja, on the shellac, you need a oil or solvent to “warm” the walnut , but from there you can use a water base from there, a straight water base wil leave walnut “bland” .

use oil based products. done.

So, why just shellac instead of shellac topped with water based poly, or just said poly? What differences will I notice in the application or end result? Also, should I consider using a stain or dye?

Ill third the shellac recomendation. Id go with ruby button lac. Itll give you a bit of color and a little more protection being a waxed shellac. Bit of a learning curve to applying shellac however.

Also agree with charles on an oil if you want to blend yellowish sapwood and the darker heartwood. I like medium walnut danish oil. Top coated with gf high performance youll have a nice easy finish schedule with easily workable finishes.

-- Its not a crack, its a casting imperfection.

Poly over shellac would work. It may be a little redundant though. Shellac may “pop” the finish a little more but im not sure its a ton different than straight poly.

You can certainly use water based dye if you want to change the color.

Play around on some samples and see what ya like. You got time so see what works for ya.

-- Its not a crack, its a casting imperfection.

Use oil based poly. Don’t not use oil based poly. The results you’re looking for will come with oil based poly. Use oil based poly.

I agree with Ja, on the shellac, you need a oil or solvent to “warm” the walnut , but from there you can use a water base from there, a straight water base wil leave walnut “bland” .

- CharlesNeil

If you use an Amber or darker Shellac for at least the first coat that will do your warming.
http://www.shellacshack.com/colors.html

chrisstef, >“Ill third the shellac recomendation. Id go with ruby button lac. Itll give you a bit of color and a little more protection being a waxed shellac. Bit of a learning curve to applying shellac however.”

Wrong, Waxed Shellac is not as durable as dewaxed, it is softer and if you top coat it with another type of finish will not adhere as well.

I love how garnet shellac looks on walnut. I top with GF high performance, water based poly, but any clear finish would work.

-- "Man is the only animal which devours his own, for I can apply no milder term to the general prey of the rich on the poor." ~Thomas Jefferson

I’ve used dye stain and water based lacquer in the past with good results, the advantage is you can start with a dark stain and dilute until you find the color your after, the lacquer wont change it and leaves a super smooth finish.

With that said, like others say, Oil based poly will give you all the results your looking for straight outta the can.

well there, you have the answer it’s unanimous!

-- if it is to be it is up to me

Shellac (not dewaxed ) sealer, durability is not an issue, then polly. been using it for over 20 years never had a finish fail with it. As long as you only use the shellac as a sealer and don’t build it up you can put pollycrylic over it no issues. I know a cabinet guy that switched to water based finishes for health reasons years ago he does it all the time.

-- "Boy you could get more work done it you quit flapping your pie hole" Grandpa

Shellac (not dewaxed ) sealer, durability is not an issue, then polly. been using it for over 20 years never had a finish fail with it. As long as you only use the shellac as a sealer and don t build it up you can put pollycrylic over it no issues. I know a cabinet guy that switched to water based finishes for health reasons years ago he does it all the time.

- jwmalone

I dont know where you all get this waxed Shellac knowledge from? Zinsser Seal Coat is a 2lb cut for sealing and is dewaxed, look at the lower part of the can Dewaxed!!
http://www.rustoleum.com/product-catalog/consumer-brands/zinsser/interior-wood-finishes/sealcoat-universal-sanding-sealer/

Then there is this video from one of the leading finishers that uses Shellac, watch and listen!!
http://www.finewoodworking.com/how-to/video/can-the-can.aspx?&lookup=auto&V18=&V19=&V20=&V21=&V22=&V23=&V24=&V25=&V26=&V53=&V54=&Taun_Per_Flag=true&utm_source=eletter&utm_medium=eletter&utm_content=fw_eletter&utm_campaign=fine-woodworking-eletter

Nightguy where in that post did I say any thing about Zinsser seal coat, I said shellac as a sealer. If you do not agree with some ones post just post you’re opinion and be done with it. Maybe even say, I do not agree with some of the previous post. No one else on this site post with such child like bs as you. . I assume you enjoy it so ill never respond to your post again. And like I said been doing it for 20 years and learned from some of the best in the business, that’s were I get my knowledge. That and books. Now go google yourself a personality and have a wonderful life.

-- "Boy you could get more work done it you quit flapping your pie hole" Grandpa