Finish advice needed for Camphor Laurel

[steck]

Good Morning,
I need some advice from the experts. I am making a side table from a highly figured, diagonally cut slab of Camphor Laurel.
I brushed some turps on to see what effect finishing might have and it was much darker than I wanted. The figure went from mid brown to almost ebony color. Brushing water on was not as darkening.
What would you recommend to provide a durable, non darkening finish?
The attached pic is of the timber, dry and before final sanding
Thanks in advance,
Attachment 28911

[RufflyRustic]

Wow - Nice slab!

My suggestion is UBeaut's White Shellac. It doesn't yellow the timber.

Minimax Wipe on Poly is another good finish, which, if I remember correctly, doesn't yellow timber either.

cheers
Wendy

[Bodgy]

Yep, sponsor's Hard Shellac.

Dont use normal, unbleached Shellac on CL, in my view it looks awful. I've stuffed a couple of pieces that way. White in the CL turns yellow.

Not real attractive.

[steck]

Thanks for the suggestions. Do you have any special pointers or tips for using the Hard Shellac?

[Bodgy]

Sorry, I bought a bottle but haven't used it yet.

Go to the home page here, and then to Ubeaut, and check Neil's notes on the product.

[RufflyRustic]

Sorry Bodgy, but I've found the Hard Shellac does yellow the timber.

Perhaps other members can help me out here. If you apply a few coats of white shellac first, then finish with a couple coats of hard shellac, will it still yellow-tinge the finish? No - I haven't tried this - yet.

Thanks
Wendy

[Bodgy]

Ruffy

I'm a bit confused. I bought the Hard Shellac from Pauline at the Newcastle show, I originally wanted the bleached shellac but after discussing the purpose I bought the hard shellac as Pauline said it was bleached also. Looking at it in the bottle it is clear in colour.

So you've found this yellows the CL?

[ubeaut]

White shellac and hard shellac are the same except the hard has a clear hardener added to it. They should both affect the timber the same way.

If the wood is liable to yellowing or darkening when wet with water or metho then it should look the same when either of the shellacs are applied.

Don't forget to cut the Hard Shellac with meths (about 50/50) before using it.

[RufflyRustic]

Thanks UBeaut!

Cheers
Wendy

[steck]

Thanks to you all for your suggestions.
I have only ever used polyurethane finishes in the past. It will be interesting to try a new approach.