Furniture Finish for N. Silky Oak

[Luke Maddux]

I have a nice pile of Northern Silky Oak (C. sublimis) with which I'm planning to make a bed very soon. I would somewhat comfortably say that it's among the highest quality NSO available, both with regards to the sawing of the timber and the age and growth conditions of the tree from which it was cut.

I am hoping to finish it in such a way that it will, over time, age to that nice, golden brown color that is characteristic of the pieces you're likely to see on furniture in older homes in Queensland.

I've only made one very small piece of furniture from NSO, and I was hoping that some experienced folks could give me some ideas on what has, historically, been used to achieve this finish, or otherwise what works for them.

I'm assuming that the older stuff would likely have been finished with a blonde (or otherwise) shellac. Unfortunately, this is a piece that needs to pass the SWMBO test, so french polishing is out. I just thought that was relevant info to include.

Thanks for any feedback.

Cheers,
Luke

[ian]

I'd be inclined to use either MiniWax wipe on poly, or Polymerized Tung Oil.

Have not used either on NSO, so can't comment on the colour cast.