Knot Happy

[John Towns]

I am making a wall decoration out of oak, to be finished without stain or dye. Only problem is, ther is a small knot in a rather obvious location and I could not avoid it due to limited material I had available at the time. Can I 'hide' the knot somehow? Maybe bleach, or some sort of aapplied covering?

John

[Steve Schoene]

The basic answer is no. Anything you try to do is likely to look artificial and call attention to the knot rather than just part of nature. I suppose an artist could paint it over, adding in the grain lines, etc. But that will only look right for a few months. In 6 months or a year the other wood will have changed color enough that the painted knot would stand out. Sorry to say you have to live with it, unless you decide to remake the piece.

[John Towns]

Thanks,

I suspected as much.

You identified my 'best' option - start over with a proper piece of pristine wood.
Another option I have is to stain the piece (not in my original design)..or..
Leave it and live with it.

I seem to have the ability to take a simple task and make it very complicated.

John