Wood end grain

[ArtinNC]

What do you put on the end grain of wood to keep it from getting dark when you are finishing it??
Thanks Art

 

[Mike Krall]

End grain is always darker. It is predominently holes (cross cut wood cells). I feel oil makes end grain darker than sealing the end grain before oiling, but it is still darker than plain or quarter cut surfaces. For me, it's wood and it looks like it looks.

Mike

 

[ArtinNC]

I'v seen furniture that the end grain was not darker and wonder how they do it .

 

[Burl Source]

With wood the end grain is like the open end of a straw. When you use a penetrating finish like oil it absorbs a lot more of the finish making the wood a lot darker. End grain can have an unusual look that you want to have stand out instead of turn dark and disappear. What you need to do is make it so your finish sits on the surface instead of penetrating the wood.

A couple options are;
1. Seal the surface and open grain. Then fine sand to smooth the surface and apply a finish on top of that. This gives a smooth even finish.
2. Use a spray on finish like lacquer. If you do this without sealing and sanding the surface will show the open end grain.

It all depends what look you are trying to attain.

 

[ArtinNC]

I'v had some Zebrawood a long time and wanted to cut it to show the end grain and I don't want it to turn real dark. That is why I was asking.

Thanks for the reply. Art