I'm making a corner curio cabinet, using African mohogany plywood for the sides and wood for the frame, door and trim. When I put a finish on it will the plywood and wood be the same color? I know the wood will darken so I assume the ply will also. Any suggestions for a good finish? no stains, want to keep it as natural as possible. I have some scraps for trial and error. I was thinking maybe blo or some kind of tung oil or just plain waxing it.
Thanks
The plywood will darken but may or may not match, same as any batch of wood. The plywood is from a different tree, probably from a different forest.
I like varnish oil. I've had good success with Tried and True brand.
It is also possible to get a very nice finish with polyurethane if you take a lot of time to do it right. It involves a fair amount of hand rubbing. Thin the first coat, apply a second, then a third. After a minimum of two weeks curing time, wet sand it (400, then 600 grit), then pumice, then rottenstone, then wax.
Not likely. Both are from different trees. Typically mahogany will look like it is a different color even with two pieces from the same board are orientated different directions, horizontally vs. perpendicular. That siad, plywood veneer typically finishes a bit different in color than solid hard wood.
I know the wood will darken so I
You can preview what the finish will look like by wiping it down with mineral spirits. If the differences are more than you want, you can use dyes (e.g. Transtint) to get a better match.
MItch
Absolutely true, however you should also turn the pieces and see how they change in color/ light to dark.
My experience with extensive use of quarter sawn oak plywood vs. it's hardwood companion is that the plywood stains lighter. I am guessing that one of the reasons is that it is pre-sanded and leaves fewer open pores to absorb the finish than the typical "hand sanding" that I do on the hardwood. (the finishing gurus here can confirm or dispute that guess!).
In any event, the trial and error methods mentioned here are mandatory to get a matching finish. Good Luck.
Dennis Slabaugh, Hobbyist Woodworker
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