Finish to retain natural wood color?

[John-Paul Murphy]

I have a holly bowl and the wood is extremely white.
I have tested a few finishes on scrap pieces and they all change the final color of the finished product.
Shellac, - yellows
French polish - yellows
Renaissance wax - darkens or grey’s the finish
BLO - yellows

Anyone have any ideas I am running out of scrap pieces…
It will be used as a fruit bowl so I do not want to use anything that can not come in contact with food...

[Steven Wilson]

a waterborn lacquer

[Jim Becker]

What Steven said. But the wood, itself, is going to yellow over time. It's just the way it is...

[Sam Yerardi]

You might try Deft clear finish. I know a lot of luthiers use it in certain cases for just that reason. I've never used it myself.

[Jim Becker]

You might try Deft clear finish. I know a lot of luthiers use it in certain cases for just that reason. I've never used it myself.

Deft is a lacquer product and yes, it is quite clear. The downside is that it also has the nasty lacquer fumes...one must take care when using it to have a lot of ventilation (outdoors is even better, but tough at this time of year in many places) and wear a good respirator. The water borne products are very low- or no-VOC and are typically water-clear with minimal yellowing...at least the current generation. In the past, that clearness was not as assured and some had a "blue" cast to them.

[Sam Yerardi]

Good points Jim.

[John-Paul Murphy]

thanks,
does anyone have a specific water borne product to recommend? I will check the local supply house for what they have..

[Jim Becker]

I use products from Target Coatings. You can order direct or through Homestead Finishing. (Jeff Jewitt) Target's USL is an excellent finish that has some of the desirable characteristics of lacquer without the heath and safety risks.