more finish, then wiping it in a few minutes.
The penetrating finish continues to soak in and permeate the pores and spaces in the wood after you
wipe it. For that reason, a second application is usually a good idea, especially if the wood is porous.
Do not wait until the first coat has dried and hardened completely.
Three hours or so is long enough to wait. Brush or swab on the second coat. Keep it wet for half an hour
or longer and wipe it all off Again.
When this well wiped application is dry, the job is done. You can wax the wood if you want to, but this
tends to clog the pores and steal some of the natural, textural beauty of the finish.
THE COLORS OF PENETRATING FINISHES
The natural look of the penetrating finishes is at its best on open pored woods such as oak, walnut,
mahogany, pecan, chestnut, etc. It leaves their texture unfilled, and makes them look like wood. Maple,
birch, cherry, and other close grained woods take the finish, of course, but are not so spectacular as the
coarser textured species.
Darker colored walnut reaches its usual dark brown color. Rosewood's browns go almost black.
This degree of darkening is considered ideal for each species.
Stain is not usually required. If you want a penetrating finish that is lighter in color, use a wood bleach to
lighten the natural color a shade or two. Of course, no filler is used with a penetrating resin finish.
Although the color given woods by a penetrating resin finish alone is usually appreciated by most
people in the darker woods, you may want to stain some of the lighter species. If you use a pigmented
wiping stain, then follow it with a penetrating finish. The finish will not change the color of the stained
wood, other than to intensify it slightly. The reason for this is that most pigmented wiping stains are
mixed in a vehicle that is much like a penetrating finish.
If you use water or a non-grain raising stain, however, you must expect a considerable intensification of
the color, a shift in hue toward the reds, and some darkening.
HOW TO BUY PENETRATING FINISHES
There are two kinds, one is formulated on the phenolic resins, the other on alkyds. The phenolics tend to
penetrate deeper. Look for the word penetrating and the word resin. Look for instructions that tell you to
brush it on and wipe it off. Every major paint manufacturer has a penetrating resin finish.
There are materials that are similar in application based on oils, not resins. In situations where
protection is not important, they can be used, although they offer no advantages in service or application