Renovating Maple Timber

G'day Boof or worse , Welcome to the forum.

You might be better to have a look here, FINISHING & RESTORATION - Woodwork Forums you'll probably get more help there.

Hey Boof - welcome to the forum ... a word of advice to kick things off: Don't be so hard on yourself mate ... there are a bunch of folks here that will handle that for you.



When you say "Maple" which Maple do you mean? To enhance the grain you might want to add a light stain first, but I am in no way suggesting you do that before getting better advice. Not sure where Highfields is but if it's in Queensland I imagine you may be meaning Qld. Maple which can have a nice grain figure. American Maple has a range of variants that include Tiger Maple which is spectacular ... often seen on guitar backs.

The trick with open grain timbers like maple is to use a neutral filler to get the pores smooth if you want the finish to be simply the natural colour plus the tone change form whatever finish you choose. Or if you plan on staining use a filler type stain for open grain timbers - follow the instructions. Basically rub on allow to dry and sand back with a fine grit paper minimum 120 usually 180 or 240. Coatings depends upon what you intend having placed on the dressing table - I would use a polyurethane of water or oil base and I like a satin finish, but also often use a matt finish of two coats then use scandinavian oil and 00 or 000 steel wool to rub in along the grain which gives a fine deep satin lustre. You could use simply a good furniture oil with or without a stain - visit Carroll's Woodworking Supplies and talk to them for good advice and products : Home | Carroll's Woodcraft Supplies