cedar finishing

[kokanee]

Have been working with some Tennesee aromatic red cedar and when I finish with poly, the red tint fades after a week or so and left with brown and white colors only. Any alternatives?

[johncee1945]

Hi I am not sure with poly finishes. It may be the red over red cancelling something out. You could try orange over red.

My favourite is the colour called Redwood which is mostly an orange oil outside furniture finish. This imparts a nice translucent glow that still shows the grain. I use red cedar for sculptures and have found an oil furniture finish superb.

The other method I often use is a semi french polish by painting on two fine coats (as a base) of this Redwood oil, then let dry, then french polish it. You put the base down then hundreds of fine layers and swirls of shellac. This give a beautiful patina rich and subtle. Regards