Written By Maggie McGaugh
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Have you ever sanded down a piece to discover the most beautiful natural wood color - only to have it turn yellow or orange once you seal it? Lucky for you, I tried a TON of brands in an experiment to see which one would maintain the perfect color. This does work on real wood and veneer, so you should be covered for all of your projects. Additionally, it’s not a wax-based product, so you don’t have to continually reseal it.
And the winner is…..
General Finishes Flat Out Flat!
What you’ll need for this project:
Your wood furniture (real or veneer!)
A Sander With High Grit (220+)
White Paint
Water
How to seal wood without darkening the natural color:
1. Sand with a very high grit - the higher the better! I used 220 or higher for this project.
2. Clean with Krud Kutter. When it gets wet with the liquid cleaner, the wood will darken. As soon as it dries it will go back to normal.
3. Water down white paint and lightly whitewash the wood. This isn’t 100% necessary, but I recommend it and would do it myself. The sealant will (very, very slightly) darken the wood, but if you whitewash your piece it will help maintain the natural and original color.
4. Use a sponge brush to eliminate brush strokes, and apply the General Finishes Flat Out Flat topcoat. It WILL look darker at first when it’s wet, but don’t panic - as it dries it will lighten! It will also lighten even more overnight.
5. Do as many coats as you think it needs depending on the piece. If it’s a dining room table, you may need as many as three to five coats to protect the surface as much as possible.
If you want to see my full experiment, check out the YouTube video below:
As a seasoned DIY enthusiast with a passion for woodworking and furniture restoration, I've delved into countless experiments to discover the best methods and products for preserving the natural color of wood. My extensive hands-on experience has equipped me with the knowledge to guide others through the intricacies of wood sealing, ensuring that the beauty of the material is enhanced rather than compromised.
In one of my recent endeavors, I undertook a meticulous experiment to find the ideal wood sealer that not only protects but also maintains the pristine natural color of both real wood and veneer. The challenge was to avoid the common issue of wood turning yellow or orange after sealing, a problem many enthusiasts encounter. To address this, I tested numerous brands to identify the standout performer in retaining the perfect wood color.
After thorough experimentation, the clear winner emerged: General Finishes Flat Out Flat. This topcoat not only excelled in preserving the natural color of the wood but also stood out for its non-wax formulation, eliminating the need for frequent resealing. My commitment to providing reliable information led me to share the following step-by-step guide to seal wood without darkening its natural color:
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High Grit Sanding (220+): Begin by sanding the wood with a high grit, preferably 220 or higher. The finer the grit, the better the results.
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Krud Kutter Cleaning: Clean the sanded surface with Krud Kutter. While the wood may temporarily darken when wet, it will return to its normal color once dry.
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Whitewashing with Watered-Down White Paint: Optionally, water down white paint and lightly whitewash the wood. This step helps maintain the natural color and counteracts the slight darkening effect of the sealant.
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Application of General Finishes Flat Out Flat: Use a sponge brush to apply the General Finishes Flat Out Flat topcoat. Despite appearing darker when wet, the coating will lighten as it dries, achieving its final color overnight.
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Multiple Coats for Protection: Depending on the piece, apply as many coats as necessary. High-use surfaces like dining room tables may require three to five coats for optimal protection.
For those eager to witness the entire experiment firsthand, a comprehensive YouTube video is available for reference. Follow me on social media for more insightful tips and tricks, as I continue to explore and share my expertise in the realm of DIY woodworking and furniture restoration.
