Need some finishing advice. As you can tell in the picture I am making a rocking horse for my son. Next step is to sand and finish the wood before assembly. Lighter wood is hard maple and darker wood is walnut. I personally would like to keep the wood as natural as possible. But also would like to make the grain/natural color of the wood “pop” a bit. While also being safe for children and adding some durability to the piece. Any thoughts would be appreciated. I have tested boiled lin seed oil, dark walnut stain and will probably test tung oil on scrap pieces. Would like for this piece to last as long as possible. Some questions to start.
Would oil be enough?
Would it need shellac, Polly, etc?
Sand to 220 before and after?
I feel the least experienced with finishing but I do understand it is the most important part of the whole process.
(The walnut I’m using doesn’t seem to have a lot of sap wood on it so shouldn’t be too much of an issue)
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