Replies

1. 
   jackplane | Feb 06, 2004 09:01pm | #1

   With cherry, blotchy staining happens often. To stop this, I'd wipe the table with linseed oil first,then let dry and stain as desired.And thin the linseed oil with a little paint thinner.

2. 
   Alan | Feb 07, 2004 02:42am | #2

   Rich,

   No, there's no problem putting a varnish/oil finish over a water based stain.  As you know, one of the virtues of water based finishing materials is that it dries so quickly.  As I understand it, as soon as the water has entirely evaporated there's nothing left but the color; there's no solvents or dry chemicals to interfere with a finish.

   Alan

3. 
   DBishop | Feb 07, 2004 09:46pm | #3

   I think FWW had an article about this exact thing an issue or two ago.  I forgot what they said but you might want to check it out.

4. 
   joinerswork | Feb 08, 2004 02:35am | #4

   I've been using Constantine's water based stains for many years, under sprayed nitrocellulose lacquer, shellac, Minwax oil, Deftoil, you name it.  Have not had any problems.  Steel wooling between coats of a wiped on finish will, of course, lighten the color somewhat, as you are abrading the surface of the wood to a degree.

5. 
   RW | Feb 08, 2004 05:45am | #5

   You can also play around with water or solvent based dyes to improve the color in the lighter areas. Transtint is one I like, though there are obviously other options.

   Alternatively, you could bleach the entire thing with AB bleach to make your starting point more uniform. This won't keep the cherry from blotching (so still dyes or gel stains are a better option) but at least you've got some uniformity to begin with.

   "The child is grown / The dream is gone / And I have become / Comfortably numb "      lyrics by Roger Waters