What is the best finish for Leopardwood? Find it out on this page, a great woodworking resource showing tests for many different finishes.

A set of 12 samples (from “A” to “L”) were cut from a single board; these start from very similar PZC values. All samples were sanded to 1500-grit.

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

We tested these finishes:
Sample A: Veleca Palkerol (water based anionic polyurethane – floor finish)
Sample B: Veleca Pinteco (acrylic emulsion – outdoor finish)
Sample C: Veleca Mobil H (water based acrylic – furniture finish)
Sample D: Veleca Nitrolux (thinner based ketone resin – classic furniture finish)
Sample E: Adler Soloplast (alkyd based finish)
Sample F: Veleca Olio per Teak (Tung oil based – exotic wood finish)
Sample G: Boiled Linseed Oil (BLO)
Sample H: Furniture restoring oil
Sample I: Nitrocellulose spray lacquer (NCL)
Sample J: Acrylic spray lacquer
Sample K: Blonde Dewaxed Shellac “Medium” (2 parts in 13 parts of Alcohol)
Sample L: Rubio Monocoat

It was concluded that:
1) No significant chatoyance increase can be achieved (about 15 PZC), but the effects can be interesting due to medullary rays
2) All 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:

Want to know more? Get Woodworker’s Guide to Chatoyance!

Available on Amazon in 12 countries – just click on your flag below…

… and enjoy the read!