Help with finish on drawers

[Jim Guy]

I have nine drawers ready for finish. The fronts are walnut and the sides maple. I would like to use garnet shellac which I really like on walnut. However it darkens the maple more than I like. It takes away so much of the contrast. Seems like a silly question but is there any way I can leave the maple light and still use the dark shellac.

I guess I'm open to anything right now.
Any thoughts would be appreciated.

By the way I'm making a screw cabinet. It's basically a small chest of drawers, my first and its a good thing its staying in the shop.

Thanks,
Jim

[jerry mayfield]

The answer to your question is no. I personally like the look of orange shellac on walnut. If this is to be used in your shop you might want to consider a coat of an alkd varnish.

Good Luck
Jerry

[Lee Schierer]

What about Deft Clear wood finish? I find it doesn't darken maple very much at all and looks nice on walnut.

Lee

[Ted Shrader]

Jim -

How about super blonde blonde shellac on the maple? Only maple that would get garnet would be the ends of the pins on the box joints at the front. If you can get by with out a film finish, use BLO.

Lee's suggestion about Daft laquer is a good one, too.

Ted