Finish for Birch Cabinet

Using a waterborne (Enduro Var would work well) is a good choice for your criteria because they are color fast, they don’t turn more yellow over time as an oil based finish will.

-- Our village hasn't lost it's idiot, he was elected to congress.

Agree a wb will give no or less color, but birch plywood looks good with some color imo. Since this is in the garage, it would be a good place to try some things and build on your “0” finishing experience.

It’s just garage shelving, so I’d just paint it the same time you paint them walls :)

If it’s going to be used like the storage areas in my garage, it’s going to get banged up and dirty anyway.

Cheers,
Brad

-- Brad in FL - In Dog I trust... everything else is questionable

Agree a wb will give no or less color, but birch plywood looks good with some color imo. Since this is in the garage, it would be a good place to try some things and build on your “0” finishing experience.

- OSU55

Thanks

I agree, I would like just a bit of color… But not sure I want traditional amber

I like water based finishes, but be aware that the water will raise the grain on the birch. If you want it smooth, the first coat will need a light sanding, which would be a mite tedious with all those surfaces.

-- I admit to being an adrenaline junky; fortunately, I'm very easily frightened

Here's an easy way to add a different color to ob poly. With waterborne finish, Transtint can be added directly to the finish before application.