Ok, you ready?
1.Sand to 320 grit. After sanding, handsand with the grain to 320 grit.
- Use an alcohol dye. Dilute to a weak coffee color. I prefer the brown metal acid dye as it is more color-fast than other dyes. Please don't use a stain on this beautiful wood. Too muddy.
3.Sand off the dye with 220 grit, handsanding only.
- Re-dye. Hand sand again with 320. The dye accents the grain. Sanding returns most of the wood to the original light color.
- Apply polymerized lemon oil. Linseed oil will work just as well, but it will yellow over time where lemon oil won't.
- Wipe dry and let sit for several days.
- Apply Birchwood-Casey Tru Oil. Use a light coat and buff dry. Apply four coats.
If you can't find pure lemon oil at an arts supply store, then you might try a health food store. Heat the oil in a double burner so it isn't scorched. Let sit till cool, then apply to the wood.
The grain will be vivid, and this system is almost fool-proof, quick, and easy.
-Rick