help with finishing

[Goodtoons]

Hi I'm Goodtoons and I'm a begginer with Intarsia. I've made the dolphins with western red cedar and poplar wood. In the magazine it says to use a white polyurythane gel. I've looked everywhere and cannot find that product nor has anyone heard of a white one. They have a gel but nothing that will keep the wood white. I bought a clear waterbased polycrylic that turns the wood yellow. I can't even find a clear varnish gel in Canada. Can anyone help?

[greatdane2]

Welcome to this site. I learned the other day that water based finishes can bring out the oils etc. in the wwod and take on a different colour. With cedar it draws out the tannin and yellows the wood, not sure if that also works for poplar.
Have not heard of a white gel either, did you try a google search?

Alan.

[Goodtoons]

Thanks for the suggestion to google it, I'll try that.

[Janette]

I don't use it, but Old Masters has a white gel. If you can't find it locally, Judy Gayle Roberts carries it and so does Lee Valley - which is based in Canada and also has a US center too. I believe it's the Pickling White. The description on JGR's site says it's a gel with a white pigment added - not sure but you could always try making your own by adding pigment to the clear.

[Goodtoons]

Thanks Janette I just wrote to you about your satin varnish gel. I called Lee Valley today and they only had one gel but I don't know if it's the same one. Maybe if the Canadian stores don't carry it, they could find out if it's in the states. I really appreciate you giving me the name and specifics to now try and find it. Thanks again Jay