This set of tests is aimed at understanding the effect of different finishes on European Ash.

A set of 6 consecutive veneer sheets (from “H” to “M”) were employed, each split into two samples (“1” and “2”); therefore, all samples ending with “1” are just consecutive layers of the initial log and start from very similar PZC values; the same applies for samples “2”. Samples “1” were left as-received (veneer), while samples “2” were sanded to 240-grit.

A special thanks goes to company Veleca for supporting us with finish samples.

We tested these finishes:
Veleca Palkerol (water based anionic polyurethane – floor finish)
Veleca Pinteco (acrylic emulsion – outdoor finish)
Veleca Mobil H (water based acrylic – furniture finish)
Veleca Nitrolux (thinner based ketone resin – classic furniture finish)
Veleca Tampoval (blonde dewaxed shellac – antique furniture finish)
Veleca Olio per Teak (Tung oil based – exotic wood finish)
Boiled Linseed Oil (BLO)
Blonde Dewaxed Shellac “Medium” (2 parts in 13 parts of Alcohol)
Furniture restoring oil
Transparent epoxy resin
Nitrocellulose spray lacquer (NCL)
Acrylic spray lacquer

It was concluded that:
1) chatoyance is reduced when sanding the veneer to 240-grit
2) chatoyance is increased by all these clear coats when starting from a sanded surface, while on veneer Oils and Epoxy resin provide no advantage
3) Nitrocellulose or Acrylic lacquers provide the best results
4) Some of these “clear” finishes significantly darken the surface

Tables below summarize the results in terms of chatoyance (PZC):

Tables below summarize the results in terms of brightness (fraction of white paper brightness):

Pictures below show the results: