Replies

1. 
   jazzdogg | Nov 21, 2005 07:26pm | #1

   For woods that take stain unevenly, a few coats of Zinsser Sealcoat before stain is applied usually does the trick. Gel stains also seem to work better than the liquid variety with blotch-prone species.

   Good luck,

   -Jazzdogg-

   "Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie

1. 
   Cheatah | Nov 21, 2005 07:34pm | #2

   Jazz:

   Thanks for the info. I never thought about the zinsser seal coat.

   I did try gel stain. It did not perform well........it was very blotchy and uneven.

   Thanks again.

   PS - Have you ever worked with sycamore? I am interested in what others think about the species.

   Thanks

    Thank you,

   Cheatah

1. 
   jazzdogg | Nov 22, 2005 08:10am | #3

   "Have you ever worked with sycamore? I am interested in what others think about the species."

   Hi Cheetah,

   I used a piece from our "Urban Forestry Program" for a small project a few years ago - started with a log, slabbed it out using the bandsaw mill, and as I watched it come out of the kiln, and stacked it for sale to students, I figured, "Hey, why not build something out of it?" I ended-up making a small dovetailed box (entirely with hand tools) that I gave to one of my sisters; heightened my appreciation for card scrapers and hand planes.

   I completed it with a sanded-in oil finish and it looked great - the grain really popped. if I were to use it again, I'd like to try using analine dye to pop the grain, followed by French polish.

   I enjoyed using it!

    -Jazzdogg-

   "Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie

2. 
   Pondfish | Nov 22, 2005 03:13pm | #4

   I've used it in kitchen table tops, mixed with maple.  Sycamore has a very attractive grain, and is nice to work with.   I have a huge sycamore in my front yard; they are very messy trees, and I keep thinking I should cut the sucker down for lumber.Recommending the use of "Hide Signatures" option under "My Preferences" since 2005

2. 
   Curtis | Nov 23, 2005 04:48am | #5

   Hello I love sycamore.

   a wash coat of shellac or a sanding sealer work wonders for you lumber.

   I personly like sycamore's natural color, or an amber shellac will look like a million dollars.

   Good luck with you project. ;-)

    

   C.A.G.
3. 
   WillGeorge | Nov 30, 2005 02:49am | #6

   blotch-prone species... ?

   I use a lot of Sycamore .. Just because it is available to me and I like the grain differences... I however have never thought of it as a 'blotch-prone species'.. YES the wood will color different through the different grains but hardly ever blotches like cherry and the like.. I think it is a wonderful wood to work with.. But then again I NEVER try for a uniform color/finish on ANY wood.. If fact I will go out of my way so it 'looks' natural..

   Some do not like that but I'v always been strange about wood.. I think it is wonderful 'AS IS'..

   On occasion I will run into a stick that 'looks' VERY different.. I will try 'color' it using Woodburst Oil-Based (Tung oil) stains by mixing the available colors and applying directly to the wood.. I can't color match (not color blind.. Just stupid at it) so I have my daughter come over and mix for me....

1. 
   Cheatah | Nov 30, 2005 06:59pm | #7

   Will:

    

   I agree< I like finishing wood products that highlight the natural beauty. But this piece was for someone else who specified it to be a dark finish. I think sycamore looks unattractive stained dark and the result was very uneven. Since my first posting, I have pre-coated the piece with a mix of poly/paint thinner (50-50 mix) Then I stained in with a min wax red mohgany and coated with poly. It looks OK. The woman likes it...that is what counts.

   thanksThank you,

   Cheatah

1. 
   WillGeorge | Dec 02, 2005 06:08pm | #8

   The woman likes it...that is what counts ALL that counts! Glad it turned out nice for you AND her!