Finish for poplar bowl

[Jake Helmboldt]

I've got some poplar crotches that I'm turning for bowls and I'm not sure I want to use a tung or BLO finish due to the yellowing it will impart. I really don't want to mess with lacquer, so are there any other options for a wiping varnish that would be somewhat less darkening? What would blonde shellac look like on poplar?

thanks, Jake

[Tony De Masi]

Hey Jake, I have some poplar bowls that I made a few years ago and I used a Natural Danish Oil. It kept the greens, purples, and heartwood just as they were. HTH.

Tony

[Leo Van Der Loo]

I would use Polymerized Tung oil, it yellows the wood the least of the hardening oils.
BTW Danish oil has both BLO and Tung and varnish in it.

[Steve Schlumpf]

Jake - if the bowl is to be for decorative purposes (not food) - then you also have the option of using a water based poly. It will raise the grain slightly but that can be lightly sanded away. Water based poly dries clear but it is a surface finish and not an oil - so it may not highlight the curl like a good oil based finish would.

[Bernie Weishapl]

I agree that a water base would be a option. Natural Danish oil is the only one I have used that only puts a hint of yellow in the wood.