Replies

1. 
   SoCalDon | Oct 01, 2004 01:32am | #1

   KJ,

   Mahogany is a beautiful wood which will darken naturally with age. If I were you I would leave the mahogany natural and finish it with multiple coats of Minwax Antique Oil Finish.

2. 
   rholland54 | Oct 01, 2004 05:47am | #2

   I would try some water-based dye stains on sample pieces first.  There are several different mahogany dye stains available, and it is easy to combine different colors.  My favorite finish for mahogany is hand rubbed lacquer.

   Robert

3. 
   301 | Oct 01, 2004 06:21am | #3

   As you know, mahogany has so many tones and shades even within a single board that if you do not dye it you may end up with a patchwork appearance to an otherwise fabulous piece.  The natural color that most mahogany turns is at first a sad orange color, brown may take a while and for a piece in use it may not turn out even.  I would suggest a dye, not a stain.  Call woodworkers supply and ask for a free color sheet from them and pick a nice color.  Practice on scrap first. I like water based dyes.  Fill the pores in the wood before coloring.  The final finish is entirely your choice, I like a hand applied varnish (not polyurethane).  I'll say it again, practice on scrap pieces.  Choose carefully.  Don't rush your decision.

4. 
   CajunDan | Oct 01, 2004 03:38pm | #4

   KJ,

   I like mahogany unstained. That said; my wife doesn't.

   I make a stain board every project, and compare ten or so stains. The one I pick most often is Zar Dark Mahogany. Zar stains (actually stain/dye combinations) have a good balance of coloring the wood and accenting the grain.

   Good Luck,

   Dan

5. 
   GHR | Oct 02, 2004 01:44am | #5

   What mahogany?

   I usually buy H. mahogany, rough sawn in large boards. The boards always match.

   I use shellac with some wipe on spar varnish.

1. 
   Biscardi | Oct 03, 2004 06:19am | #6

   I think it is a shame to overly stain mahoghany. The wood is going to darken over the years on its own. If you put a dense brown-red stain on  it now, you'll loose alot of the grain highlights latter on as things get muddy.

   Having said that, some stain is helpfull as the wood is nearly a pumpkin color when first sanded. At Monticello they have a dining room table that is mahoghany with linseed oil alone on it. Ater 220 years it looks really nice.

   I usually use Minwax wood conditioner, followed by Minwax stain. I then let it dry about six hours and then apply Tung Oil. This actually lifts some of the stain off the piece. This is not a really sophisticated way to do it, but the results are nice. I can post a picture if you like.

   Purists would tell you to fill the piece first, use an analine stain  mixed to exactly what you color you want and then shellac or lacquer.

   There is certainly many ways to do this.

   Frank

6. 
   TomFerreira | Oct 03, 2004 06:45am | #7

   Kevin,

   I like either a spar varnish or watco coated with a water based poly. Do not use stain as the wood will darken with age and end up too dark IMHO.

   TDF

1. 
   301 | Oct 03, 2004 07:02am | #8

   I think the real danger in not using a dye on Mahogany is that it will fade just as easily as it will darken.  I am doing massive restoration project right now all related to faded mahogany.  Sunlight is the villan here, just a small amount will bring it right back to the pumpkin color and then worse, pale yellow and eventually bland, creamy white.  A fade resistant dye will help out a lot.

1. 
   nicobie | Oct 04, 2004 08:25pm | #9

   I build a lot of stuff out of mahogany and my favorite finish for it is to start with a spit coat (thinned coat) of orange shellac followed by Minwax red mahogany stain that I immediately wipe. Then I spray 2 coats of water white lacquer sanding sealer. If you are looking for that high gloss piano look, block sand then spray 2 more coats of sealer. When you are done with the sealer,  block sand with 220 and spray 2 or 3 coats of reg lacquer. After that dries 24 hours or more rub out with 0000 steel wool for satin look. Wait a few days before applying a quality wax.Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it. Ronald Reagan, August 15, 1986

7. 
   BArnold | Oct 04, 2004 10:37pm | #10

   KJ,

   Haven't used it myself, but I've seen pieces done with potassium dichromate to simulate the aging process and then topped with an oil/poly mix.  The potassium dichromate is brushed on then wiped off and can be used to even out the coloring of mahogany with a couple of treatments.

   Regards,

   Bill Arnold - Custom Woodcrafting

   Food for Thought: The Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.

   ---

1. 
   Biscardi | Oct 05, 2004 05:49am | #11

   Something I did with the finish I mentioned above. Photos done with a cheap digital camera.

   Frank