Flat Finish?

[James Farrow]

Can anyone recommend a finish/sealer for wood that dries really flat.

I have been using Deft Lacquer but they only have (as far as I cound find) Gloss or Satin. I got the satin but it still has a bit of a shine to it. And I want a flat finish. And a clear finish that won't yellow over time.

Something not toxic would also be a benifit as this lacquer is wicked stuff too.

Thanks,

James :)

[Jamie Buxton]

Pretty much all solvent-based finishes yellow over time. The only question is how much and how quickly. In contrast, most waterborne finishes don't yellow. Me, I spray Target's waterbornes. You can get them in sheens ranging from gloss to flat. One retailer is http://www.homesteadfinishing.com/index.htm. Dunno about sources in Canada.

[Don Baer]

James,
I finish it using my favorite gloss finish with as many coats as you think you need then I use a fine abrassive saw 600 grit or better to know down the sheen. If you use a simi gloss or flat finish I believe that they use solids which would cloud the finish.

[Steve Schoene]

I think that dulling the gloss finish gives the best results. But the finish chosen must rub out well. Polyurethane varnish would not be a good choice. Waterborne finishes don't rub out very easily, either, though they aren't prone to yellowing over time. Nitrocellulose lacquer rubs out very well, but does yellow over time. Among finishes that rub out well, shellac is the least likely to change color over time.

Any finish to be rubbed out should be well cured. A month for varnishes, a week for evaporative finishes would be generally safe.

For finishes manufactured to be flat there are some out there. Google for varnish flat sheen and you will see a number of alternatives. I have tried none of them.

[James Farrow]

Thanks!

I also came across (in google) references to "Dead Flat Lacquer".

Anyone know any brand names of this stuff?

James :)

[Matt Tawes]

James,

Give this a try: https://www.targetcoatings.com/fz/xcart/customer/home.php?cat=278

[James Farrow]

Thanks!

Looks like good stuff but you need spraying equipment (unless I read it wrong).

I am looking for brushable or in a spray can.

James :)

[Matt Tawes]

James,

You're correct, you do need spray equipment. It is good stuff though as I use it often and it dries super fast, clear and no smell or yellowing.
The only other suggestion is just use any type of waterborne finsih in satin and buff to flatter sheen. Boiled Linseed oil is a good sealer and is pretty flat but it defnitely darkens wood and ambers over time.

[Rob Blaustein]

Thanks!

Looks like good stuff but you need spraying equipment (unless I read it wrong).

I am looking for brushable or in a spray can.

James :)

Target also makes a waterborne brush on varnish:
https://www.targetcoatings.com/fz/xcart/customer/home.php?cat=318
I haven't used it.

[James Farrow]

Thanks!

I also found out that Mohawk makes that dead flat lacquer.

Comes in a spray can. I e-mailed one place to see if they ship by Canada Post.

James :)

[Keith Mealy]

Take a look at http://www.touchuptrainer.com/links.html

The first set are a number of links to the major touch up suppliers. All sell aerosol lacquers in flat, dead flat, and "simulated oil" (flatter than dead flat). You can apply these over the top of brush on Deft (lacquer).

Or as stated above, you can lower the sheen by rubbing with abrasives.