Wood finish in high heat areas......

[doeboy]

O.K. guys, here is my question but it may not be so archery related.

I had a mantle made out of a piece of black walnut when i built my house for my fireplace.

 Im starting to build the fireplace as we speak and would ask the opinion of the fellow bowyers on this site to help me pick a finish for the mantle that can handle some heat from an insert style fire place?

any advise would be great.

Thanks

[Dano]

I have built one mantle and one surround and mantle. Both were on inserts. I used Deft Lacquer on the mantle and latex trim paint for the surround. I don't think the heat is an issue on insert fireplaces, but I could be wrong.

[Butch L]

Doeboy,
  all insert fireplaces should have in their literature the required distance to combustibles.
Also most newer units come with metal stud kits to attach to them so as not to use 2x stock. The height above top of opening is determined by how far the mantle projects from the wall face. Check with your supplier if you cannot find it with the unit. The firemarshal will be looking at this when they do thier smoke detector inspection.
              Butch L