Replies

1. 
   SteveSchoene | Oct 20, 2010 08:21am | #1

   You can, but it does need to be quite a light cut of shellac, somewhere around 1/2 lb.  I like to very lightly sand, using a block and 320 grit, but that may not be needed..   It is possible to seal the wood too well, in which case the dye would just sit on the surface.  This is something where you definately need to practise on scrap

1. 
   Westchester | Oct 20, 2010 06:51pm | #2

   Staining

   A gel stain may be worth a try -

   It won't be as dark though as a dye stain

   SA

1. 
   chincha | Oct 21, 2010 12:16am | #3

   I did some examples on scrap using gel stain and just emphasizes the irregularities , blotching very bad, is not good Idea, the examples that I did with dye stain is looking much better and even color, I think I will go with dye stain, thanks guys

2. 
   tkbob | Dec 03, 2010 02:00pm | #4

   To take care of bloching on Maple I use a dye stain from lee valley, I have never tried it on Birch but it could be worth a try.  The secret that I find works the best to minimize bloching is to lightly wet the wood with a plant mister and then apply the stain using a foam brush moving the stain around evenly.  I am not an expert but wetting the wood seems to stop the sain from obsorbing into the wood unevnely.