some questions on glass

[bjdawg]

I am making some end tables (see attached photos) and my original intention was to fill them with resin. However whenever I put any kind of finish on it darkens to the point where you can hardly make out the engraving. So, I was thinking about getting a piece of glass cut to sit down in the recess and silicone it in place then resin up to it. Does this sound like a good idea or any other suggestions?
Now to the actual glass questions; since it's such an irregular shape what would be the best way to cut it ... waterjet?
If waterjet is the way to go; can you cut tempered glass on there or will it just shatter into a million pieces? Do I even need tempered glass or will just a fairly thick piece of regular glass be sufficient?

[wendtmk]

Have you considered sealing the engravings with a couple of coats of varnish, shellac, or clear lacquer before you pour the resin into them? Sounds like the resin is seeping into the wood before it cures, and darkening it. The finishes above might keep the resin from seeping in and darkening the wood.

Mark

[bjdawg]

I have tried laquer, sanding sealer, wood conditioner, and a couple other things I can't remember at the moment; some were worse than others but they all darkened it significantly. I believe the problem is that it's on the end grain so like you said it just soaks it up. Thank you though for the suggestion and please post if you have any other ideas.

[jharvey407]

Originally Posted by bjdawg I have tried laquer, sanding sealer, wood conditioner, and a couple other things I can't remember at the moment; some were worse than others but they all darkened it significantly. I believe the problem is that it's on the end grain so like you said it just soaks it up. Thank you though for the suggestion and please post if you have any other ideas.

What laquer did you use? I have had good results with Deft brushable laquer. It doesn't seem to color the wood at all. You might give it a try.

[bjdawg]

I tried ML Campbell's magnalac in a satin finish and I also tried flat and semi-gloss of another brand; but I'm not sure what the brand was.

[jharvey407]

Originally Posted by bjdawg I tried ML Campbell's magnalac in a satin finish and I also tried flat and semi-gloss of another brand; but I'm not sure what the brand was.

In my limited experience lacquer is going to have the least impact on the color of wood. Especially compared to shellac or varnish. The wood that you have may just be a dark wood. Whenever I go to my wood guy for stock, he always wets the wood with mineral spirits to show the figure and color. Try a spot on your wood. I believe that any finish will darken the wood at least as much as the mineral spirits. So there may not be a finish that does not darken the wood.

On the other hand, maybe a water based poly finish would be the way to go. I've always seen them advertised as a clear non-yellowing finish.

[wendtmk]

You might also want to give clear artists fixative a try. Some woods, no matter what you do, will darken, especially so on the end grains.

Mark

[wendtmk]

One other thing to consider with the lacquer. Try spraying it on instead of brushing. It'll dry quicker and won't penetrate the wood as much.

Mark

[cncforlife]

Originally Posted by bjdawg I am making some end tables (see attached photos) and my original intention was to fill them with resin. However whenever I put any kind of finish on it darkens to the point where you can hardly make out the engraving. So, I was thinking about getting a piece of glass cut to sit down in the recess and silicone it in place then resin up to it. Does this sound like a good idea or any other suggestions? Now to the actual glass questions; since it's such an irregular shape what would be the best way to cut it ... waterjet? If waterjet is the way to go; can you cut tempered glass on there or will it just shatter into a million pieces? Do I even need tempered glass or will just a fairly thick piece of regular glass be sufficient?

from my expirience you could use wood bleaching,(discoloring)so u discolor wood, but, you have to try to a scrap piece first, because some wood do not loose color after bleaching due to the fact that they have strong bonds that hold to bleach,like some exotic hardwood.
bleaching has its hazards,since it involves aggresive chemicals.
you could mix 1:1 hyrogen peroxide and sodium hydroxide and cover the area with brush or spread it somehow on wood.SODIUM HYDROXIDE IS CAUSTIC.
WEAR GOOGLES AND GLOVES.
The mixture makes some damage to the wood becuase the sodium hydroperoxide,a third chemical formed,is a "very aggresive" material
that seeks and destroys the chromophores in the wood.Chromophores are responsible for the color in wood, reacting to light.
However this is your only chance of discoloring wood. you could color it after this proccess using a light stain for wood. make sure the wood keeps its original vividness.cairtain wood looses it and looks a bit dull after blaeching, due to the distruction of the chromophores.
Zorba.