I am making a Walnut Dining room table 4x6 ft what stain would be the best to make the grain and natural look?

Answer 1

I just refinished a antique walnut dressing table and was trying to achieve the original finish as it was water damaged in some areas, I mixed black walnut and mahogony stain together and tested it on scraps of wood until I got the color I wanted then stained and wiped it down and I would put at least five coats of poly on the table top. I also refinished a oak tabel and chairs, five coats on table top and three coats on chair seats. Good Luck with your project. You may just want to poly over the natural wood too....

Answer 2

Some companies, such as Menards, have small samples of stain for sale. That can be a good idea, provided you have somewhere or something to test it on, such as a sample piece of walnut. Most of us don't though.
Start with a lighter color because you can always go darker if you so choose (I like Varathane's "Golden Mahogany" personally, it really brings out the grain and color). Varathane is a good quality brand, inexpensive and it looks good. Also, be sure to use a good quality wood conditioner, you use less stain, it brings out the color and grain better and it doesn't allow the stain to penetrate as quickly. Good old fashioned elbow grease is the best tool, rub a lot and with the grain changing the rags frequently so as to not re-apply the stain you just took off.
To make that table absolutely beautiful, apply a top-coat of spar varnish. It is similar to gym floor coating and will absolutely protect the table top. I did that to my solid oak table and WOW! Everyone was impressed, and you don't ever have to worry about water rings on the table top! Just be sure to follow the directions for application.
Hope this helps you!

Answer 3

Of course there is no right answer--it all depends on what look you're going for. An option I have not seen here is an easy one to apply and is readily available at home-improvement stores or woodworking stores and is favored by high-end furniture makers. Orange shellac really brings out the beauty and warmth of walnut unlike any other finish. Shellac is easy to apply (a foam brush or a rag bunched up in a ball work well) and you can apply many coats in a short period of time. One drawback to shellac is that it does not protect the wood from water damage but keep in mind some other options do not either.
There is a book about finishing by Bob Flexner and is called Understanding Wood Finishing. I believe it to be the best book on the subject. Bob is very well versed in these matters--he's been doing it for over 30 years.
Good luck.

Answer 4

Walnut is a very dark wood to start with and dont know if a stain will change to color at all. I would use a high gloss poly and apply at least 4 coats of finish to it using steel wool to scuff the surface between each coat.

Answer 5

If it is new lumber and has a good grain pattern , I would wipe down with boiled linseed oil to make grain stand out and then (When dry) coat with several coats of Poly.

If the grain isn't so good or there are streaks, use a good quality wipeing stain to even out the color, then Poly coat.

Answer 6

if its furniture grade wood,just sand it down get all the dust off it then a couple coats of polyeurathne,it'll bring out the natura grains and shine...if your not sure save a scrap piece and test it...trust me you'll love it