Help with staining / finishing Maple

Hampton64 | Posted in General Discussion on October 19, 2007 12:30pm

Can anyone provide input regarding their opinions of finish to be used on maple that will be relatively durable yet add depth and enhance the wood ? I’m interested in a deep luster finish.

I can’t spray but other then that I’m open to techniques.

I’ve tried General Finishes oil and water based poly’s but I don’t seem to be getting the depth and luster that I’d like.

Due to variations in maple boards on this cabinet combined with some baltic birch side panels, I’ve discovered via test boards that any stain (even when surface prep / conditioner applied) results in very distinct variations in the colors of the piece as well as some blotching.

Although I wanted to apply a stain then finish to a luster, I’ve discovered from testing that I’ll have to leave the maple and baltic birch it’s natural color and try to dress it up and give it depth the best I can with only a finish.

I’m a finishing rookie, so I’m really looking forward to thoughts, comments and help from some of you guru’s.

Thanks in advance.

Replies

Bonka | Oct 19, 2007 03:34am | #1
Try this site. Join the forum. There is a wealth of info in the recipes section.

http://homesteadfinishing.com/
forestgirl | Oct 19, 2007 08:08am | #2
Homestead Finishing is a great place, but you'll get some good replies here also. There are at least 2 maple experts here -- they just have to see your thread.

forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)

Hampton64 | Oct 19, 2007 02:55pm | #3
Thanks for the replies thus far.

Forestgirl: Are you suggesting then that I just leave this thread going and hope those experts you referred to see it ? Or do you have contact info ?

Thanks

danmart | Oct 20, 2007 12:32am | #4
Go back to the expert section and fire off a request again to the finishing guys. I think there is a good discussion/advice on finishing maple and birch. I use the 2 woods together with great results. I found it best to seal the surfaces with dewaxed shellac then a light color(anniline dye-water based) check the color for happiness, seal again with shellac and rub down then I have used Chris Minick's test winner Minwax Wipe on poly. Its not going to the Dewitt Gallery at Williamsburg but it has a nice depth and a tough finish with minimal pain. Its important to note: The white maple takes on a light brown/yellow tone. I like this but you might want something else. Just a guess what might make you happy.

PeteBradley | Oct 20, 2007 03:26am | #5
I'm not an expert, but here's an old post of mine showing one of my favorite recipes, shellac followed by Arm-R-Seal:

http://forums.taunton.com/fw-knots/messages?msg=31250.11

Pete
MichaelTheFinisher | Oct 20, 2007 04:21am | #6
The piece Pete finished is very good,read his article.

I am a finisher,have been for 30 years. I love maple I really enjoy working with it,be it birdseye or curly,all maple has some figure in it.The object is to pull that out.There in lies the problem,right?It takes time,time and more time.

The key is surface prep.Sand the wood up to 220,look at it very closely.If you see any makes at all,sand it again,until the surface is perfect.

Hers a recipe to give you some depth and amazing luster.

Get some zinser orange shellac,pour 2 oz into a container,cut it with 2 oz lacquer thinner(produces a much harder finish then alcohol) then you want to add some color,I usually add about an oz of Mohawks Ultra Penetraing Stain (I use Perfect brown)but any anilne stain,either in powder or alchol based will work.And all are availiable online.

You now have a very thin colored spit coat.Brush it on very fast,and no over lapping.It will almost dry on contact.Lightly scuff the surface with a red sctoch brite (320 grit)..now you repeat the above step atleast 3 times,change the mixture,each time as well.decrease the lacquer thinner and colorant by a 1/4 in every succesive coat.

This will give you depth,color and clarity.You can buy a number of inexpensive spray lacquers at Home depot or Lowes.Spray a couple of coats and your done.Thats about as easy as it gets,but it is not easy,just take your time and you will be rewarded.

Michael Foscone
ted | Oct 20, 2007 04:31am | #7
I've always had good results with shellac flakes, alcohol and beeswax. I sand the surface thoroghly to 400 grit followed by a rubbing of maple shavings off the handplane. Apply a very thinned down mixture of shellac (about 1 1/2 tbls. of flakes to 1 pt shellac) followed by another. Let dry for a couple of hours and keep applying shellac mixture until desired finish and build is achieved (usually no less than 15 - 20 applications). Finally apply light application of beeswax followed by a buffing. Repeat wax and buffing.