Low Gloss / Zero Gloss Drink Coasters

[Anthony Fry]

I'm looking to make drink coasters in the shape of a 6 piece puzzle set. My thought is to use two or three different hard woods for some contrast to make it decorative as well as functional.

I'm looking for a low to zero gloss finish that will bring out the grain like a 2-part oil finish. I like how the grain pops with the 2-part oil finish.

Is there a finish material that can get somewhere between high water resistance to water proof and have zero gloss?

[Paul F Franklin]

Seems to me for a flat finish you either have lots of fine scratches to dull a gloss finish, or flatteners added to the finish. Either will reduce the clarity of the finish somewhat. But lots of folks make flat finish poly; I'd probably give that a try.

[Bert Kemp]

Seems to defeat the purpose of a coaster. I thought coasters were to be water absorbent to soak up the condensation and keep the table dry. Finishing wood coasters with a finish would not allow the coaster to do its job. JMHO

[Anthony Fry]

Seems to defeat the purpose of a coaster. I thought coasters were to be water absorbent to soak up the condensation and keep the table dry. Finishing wood coasters with a finish would not allow the coaster to do its job. JMHO

Huh? I never looked at it that way. Good point!

Should I just use an oil finish to give some durability and still allow the surface to wet out some?

These are mainly decorative but still need to be functional.

[Frank Pratt]

Seems to defeat the purpose of a coaster. I thought coasters were to be water absorbent to soak up the condensation and keep the table dry. Finishing wood coasters with a finish would not allow the coaster to do its job. JMHO

You bring up a good point, but I think this may be a regional thing. The humidity levels here (Calgary) are generally quite low & it's not often that there's enough condensation on a glass that it would overflow the edges of a coaster.

[Bert Kemp]

You bring up a good point, but I think this may be a regional thing. The humidity levels here (Calgary) are generally quite low & it's not often that there's enough condensation on a glass that it would overflow the edges of a coaster.

Do we know were the op is from, is he making these to sell all over the country. Personally I think wood coasters should not have a finish on them , but hey to each his own.

[John TenEyck]

Low/zero gloss won't pop the grain. What about using something with a higher gloss level and gluing a cork disk in the center of the coaster to absorb the liquid, like on many commercial coasters?

John

[Anthony Fry]

Low/zero gloss won't pop the grain. What about using something with a higher gloss level and gluing a cork disk in the center of the coaster to absorb the liquid, like on many commercial coasters?

John

This will be a Christmas gift, decorative, but needs some durability. I plan on two or three unique wood types for visual contrast, so the wood cant be covered.

As for pop, I helped with a live edge walnut table this past spring and the 2-part oil most definitely helped the grain pop, or maybe better described as bring out the tones. It had a beautiful matte or flat look where you could seen the grain from almost any angle, no sheen or glare.

Like deck teak on a boat, minus the varnish??