Finish Help

[Bud-J]

I am building the Soleil Royal and need advice on deck finishing. I have simulated tree nails by slight compression with a metal prong and then just a touch of #2 pencil in the “holes”.
I like the nails to be subtle looking like the photo on the right. BUT, I tried some wipe on poly satin and it has really darkened the holes where they are a bit to prominent looking.
Any recommendations on any other type finish that won’t darken the holes? Tung oil? Dullcoat?

 

[john o.]

I do Woodworking and one of the tricks that I use is a mixture of denatured alcohol and shellac at a 50/50 mixture this prevents blocking when staining Furniture so may help you with your problem Lightly sand after it has dried then apply your finish

 

[MikeC]

I darken the caulking lines with a fine mechanical pencil having chamfered the planks before laying. Then I use Minwax golden oak stain marker to color the deck. No further finish — because I like the appearance of bare wood planking. I think they used to sand decks and sea water affected them too. Some people will like this look, some won’t!