Which finish for mystery wood ??

[BPG]

Hi All,

Been lurking around on here for quite sometime and really enjoy looking back at all the old projects, builds, workshops etc. Also wanted to say thanks to all of those who have inadvertently helped me by answering others questions, which I also needed answers to !

Couldn't find much info on my current problem so thought I'd better do the decent thing and actually sign up to the board. I am a complete novice at wood butchery but have plans for a nice new garage (i.e workshop) in development at the moment and hope to become slightly less inexperienced over the coming years.

I'm currently stripping the staircase in our new (old) home and need some advice wrt finishing the newel posts and handrail. I've sanded back the old finish which seems to have been a clear varnish which had seen better days. As a novice I'm unsure as to the type of wood but after hunting around on t'net I think it is most likely mahogany. When finished it was a reddish brown with an even grain pattern. Now it is sanded it is a lightish brown, almost milky coffee colour (not very technical I'm afraid).

I would like a dark (we have dark oak flooring) matt/satin finish rather than a full on glossy shine. I've read that you have to be careful what you use on mahogany (if indeed that is what it be) and I'm more confused about my options now than when I started.

All advice gratefully received.

Thanks in advance.

 

[MikeG.]

Welcome BPG.

Firstly, photos will help, but you'll have to post 2 or 3 more times before you are able to upload photos. Secondly, your title is just a bit mis-leading, because strictly, a treament is a rot-prevention and/or insect-resisting chemical, whereas you are actually referring to the "finish".

This will be easier to answer when we see what we are up against, but my instinct is to use oil and wax whenever I can. Oil, such as a tung oil or Danish oil gives the colour and highlights the grain, and wax provides that bit of shine and a little protection.

Mike

 

[BPG]

Thanks for the advice Mike, I've changed the title so hopefully it makes a bit more sense.

I'll make a couple of more posts so that I can get some photos up.

 

[BPG]

Right, took a couple of pics. Light was very poor so colour reproduction isn't great. I would say that in the flesh the wood looks a few shades lighter, with less of the slightly orange tinge in the photos.

Still none the wiser as to the type of wood. Had another look on the net and it looks like it could be one of about three. But I'll wait and see what the experts think.
Hopefully the pics will work OK.

 

[BPG]

Still no pics - am I still a bit light on posts?

 

[DaveL]

Still no pics - am I still a bit light on posts?

Your picture are there, any chance you could resize them please?
1/3 of the current size would be good, so we don't have to scroll side ways to read the posts.