Replies

1. 
   byhammerandhand | Jan 26, 2006 02:45am | #1

   How dark? I have had good luck with Deftoil (or presumably another other oil-varnish blend) with Gilsonite in it. Typically these are called "walnut" colors.

1. 
   markito | Jan 26, 2006 05:04pm | #2

   I see, I am looking to simulate a dark cherry / mahogany finish.

   Was it just a matter of applying it or were ther other steps involved like sealing between coats, dying, toning etc????   I am relaitvely new to the finishing world.

   MOstly work with oak and pine..   THanks for the reply 

1. 
   byhammerandhand | Jan 26, 2006 07:24pm | #3

   The Deftoil finishes appear to be colored with Gilsonite / asphaltum which is more brown than perhaps the brownish red that you're looking for. But they can be "dark". Here are some of the commonly-available danish oils:
   http://www.deftfinishes.com/wood/deftoil.htm
   http://www.generalfinishes.com/finishes/oil-base-finishes/oilbase.htm (Scroll down to GF Danish Oil)
   http://www.rustoleum.com/product.asp?frm_product_id=112&SBL=1I recommend you try them first on scrap to make sure it's what you want it to be. You may be able to take some scrap to your retailer and ask to try out a little of each on poplar.You can get elaborate with a number of coats -- pre-stains, stains, sealing, toning and glazing. Whether or not that is required for your tastes or if you want or are able to apply these is another matter. These topics are much to broad to cover here. I'd suggest buying or checking a copy from the library of either Flexner's revised "Understanding Wood Finishes" or Jewitt's "Complete Illustrated Guide to Wood Finishing."Poplar is prone to "splotch," so you do need to take some steps or avoid certain products (pigments) at early stages of the process. Minwax's Red Mahogany is heavily pigmented, and though it may look like the right color, may not work very well for this application.

2. 
   Chance | Jan 28, 2006 05:03am | #4

   Markito,

   I just had good success making a VHS tape stand from yellow poplar. I first applied Varathane Wood Conditioner and let it dry overnight. I then applied Varathane Red Chestnut stain, 2 coats about 8 hours apart. Then many coats of wipe-on polyurethane. I had zero blotching. The lady I made it for just loved it.

   Chance

    

3. 
   bushman1000 | Jan 30, 2006 05:05pm | #5

   A friend of mine uses poplar, and after some experimentation found the most consistant stain was any pigment stain.  Here that means Rez stain, a paste stain.  He tells me the paste or pigment stains do not go blotchy on poplar.

    

4. 
   Cheatah | Feb 05, 2006 03:15pm | #6

   markito,

   I have used minwax red mohogany stain over poplar. The result was very good. I finished with wipe on poly. This is consistent with some other posts here. Minwax red mohogany has a hi content of pigments.

   Good luck--

   Cheatah

   Thank you,

   Cheatah

5. 
   charliedickens | Feb 11, 2006 02:11am | #7

   For a repellent that will work for a year or so try Thompson's Water Seal or similar waterproofing products.  They are mostly wax with a solvent and on your fence should go on quickly with a nappy roller.  Once it's dry any white paint should peel off in large very satisfying sheets...