Replies

1. 
   RMillard | Mar 12, 2004 01:29pm | #1

   An article by Jeff Jewitt on finishing curly maple appeared in issue 153 March/April 1999. I can't find or remember and article on finishing quilted maple, so this may not be the article you are looking for.

1. 
   chopsaw2 | Mar 13, 2004 07:09am | #3

   Thanks for the reply...I am now going to the basement in search of that issue.

   Drew

2. 
   Paul_Snyder | Mar 13, 2004 01:43am | #2

   Drew,

   Dyes do a great job of "popping" the figure in maple. In this sample, I used linseed oil on the left, lacquer only in the middle, and a golden/amber dye on the right.

   View Image
   Linseed oil, Lacquer, & Amber Dye

   Here's a closer shot of the middle and right sections. The curl has very nice depth (chatoyance, directionality, shimmer, etc.) with just the clear coats, but the dye gives it a more dramatic look.

   View Image
   Shellac/Lacquer vs. Amber Dye

   Here's an easy, but very nice looking finish for figured maple;

   1. Sand the wood to 220 grit and remove the sanding dust. Make sure the final sanding is by hand, in the direction of the grain, to avoid any sanding marks.

   2. Apply dye (water reducible) to the wood with a brush, rag, roller, or by spraying. Use gloves. Wet the wood very quickly - do not let the dye sit on one spot longer than another. If you let a drip or run sit in a spot, that spot will stay darker than the surrounding wood.

   3. Let the dye dry completely and then apply your topcoats.

   Do samples using a color of dye you like. Try different ratios of dye and thinner to see which shade you like best.

   Paul

1. 
   chopsaw2 | Mar 13, 2004 07:15am | #4

   Paul

   Thanks for that reply, very imformative. I like the way the dyed section looks. But am wanting to just give the maple parts a natural color and color the ash top and trim on the table.

   But I do have more of the maple around for more projects so intend on using your method of finishing.

   Again thanks for the great reply.

   Drew