How do you keep White Birch White

Post by **oldlogtrucker** » Sun Apr 16, 2017 5:50 pm

Can anyone tell me how to keep white birch white after carving. I used some spray lacquer but That is not working. Any suggestions would certainly be appreciated.
Kathy

Post by **highpockets** » Sun Apr 16, 2017 6:43 pm

Might try wipe on or spray on polyurethane.

Post by **mtylerfl** » Sun Apr 16, 2017 7:17 pm

oldlogtrucker wrote:Can anyone tell me how to keep white birch white after carving. I used some spray lacquer but That is not working. Any suggestions would certainly be appreciated.
Kathy

Krypton clear acrylic spray does a decent job of maintaining the wood color.

Post by **CarveOne** » Sun Apr 16, 2017 11:28 pm

H. Behlen makes a Stringed Instrument Lacquer (Item B104-1406 spray cans) that is clear when dry. It is sold in woodworking stores and online as spray can or as liquid in a can for brushing or use in spray gun equipment.

Deft has a Clear Satin Lacquer in spray and liquiid also.

Both are as clear as I have found, though any clear finish material will change the color of wood slightly.

CarveOne

Post by **ger21** » Mon Apr 17, 2017 12:35 am

Water based lacquer or polyurethane will keep the color as close to the original as anything.

Post by **oldlogtrucker** » Mon Apr 17, 2017 1:34 am

Thanks to all who sent answers. I am using deft laquer, maybe I need to put on a thicker coat. Quit being so scotch.

Post by **ElevationCreations** » Mon Apr 17, 2017 4:27 am

As ger21 mentioned, use a water based poly or lacquer to maintain the color. Some WB finishes will be tinted to mimic oil based finishes.

General Finishes Enduro line is fast drying and easy to work with.

Post by **martin54** » Mon Apr 17, 2017 11:11 am

I am pretty new to all this as well but I would say that using a thicker coat isn't going to help, if what you are using is colouring the wood then try something else. I have tried a few different brands of water based finish & had varying results. What I hadn't realised was what ElevationCreations has said about some being tinted to mimic oil based finishes. That would explain why some seemed to make the wood more yellowy than others

I like Danish oil as a finish but can't use it with Hornbeam or Lime because it turns a very white coloured wood a dirty sort of yellow colour

Post by **Phil** » Mon Apr 17, 2017 2:25 pm

I doubt that any clear finish could prevent wood from darkening over time. UV rays darken wood. Clear finish does not prevent UV rays from this process. Spar or Marine varnish might be your best choice but I would not think your white birch will stay white for a very long time. If I am wrong I would like to know what works too.

Phil

Post by **Leo** » Mon Apr 17, 2017 2:54 pm

I agree with Phil.

It is a natural process for the color of wood to change over time and exposure to light.

Cherry is one of the most photo sensitive woods. Put cherry in the sun with a thin strip crossed on top and within an hour the color will change and the shadow from the strip will show.

Walnut will get lighter with time.

Polyurethane (oil based) has a yellowing effect. Spar varnish is really yellowing.

The clear coats of lacquer are great finishes but nothing I know of will stop the natural color changing of wood.

It would be really nice to be able to maintain the purple of purpleheart, or red in bloodwood or Paduk, or the yellow of Ozark orange or yellowheart, but nature MUST have it's way.

Post by **martin54** » Mon Apr 17, 2017 7:49 pm

Phil wrote:I doubt that any clear finish could prevent wood from darkening over time. UV rays darken wood. Clear finish does not prevent UV rays from this process. Spar or Marine varnish might be your best choice but I would not think your white birch will stay white for a very long time. If I am wrong I would like to know what works too.

Phil

Phil, got no idea if it would be suitable for wood or how long it would extend the darkening process (if at all) but there are clear coat finishes available for printed graphics that may work to some extent, Frog Juice is one & Kodak also do one which I use to use years ago to extend the life of pigment ink printed graphics. They have UV inhibitors built in to help slow down the fading of the inks.
As I say no idea if it would work with wood but might be worth looking into for exterior applications

Post by **Rcnewcomb** » Mon Apr 17, 2017 9:42 pm

PermaLac is clear and has excellent UV protection. It is available from a number of different suppliers.

Post by **Phil** » Mon Apr 17, 2017 10:07 pm

Rcnewcomb wrote:PermaLac is clear and has excellent UV protection. It is available from a number of different suppliers.

Hi Randall,

do you have experience with PermaLac?

Phil

Post by **Rcnewcomb** » Mon Apr 17, 2017 10:40 pm

do you have experience with PermaLac?

Yes, I used it early on. (I use shellac now) It doesn't stink like most other lacquers, and it goes on well. However, it is 2 or 3 times more expensive than something like DEFT.

Compare the Material Safety Data Sheets for Permalac and DEFT.

Post by **T.R.MacMunn** » Mon Apr 17, 2017 11:18 pm

Kathy, Kathy, Kathy .......... you silly girl!
You leave the friggin' bark on it! LOL

Vectric Customer

How do you keep White Birch White

How do you keep White Birch White

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