Need some advice working with maple. I’m building a bar for one of my son’s and having a problem with the stain consistently . While it looks great as natural wood he wants it stained dark. . I’ve sanded it down to 600 gr and used MW preconditioner and I am having splotchy areas coming out darker or lighter than the rest of the areas. Resanded those areas with 600, precoated again, stained and the same results. My shop is a consistent 700with 50% humidity. Any ideas on how to get a smooth stain coating?
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Suggestion - Check the stain application directions. Many stains refer to "no finer than 220 grit" sanding. The preconditioner will help, but you will need multiple coats of stain after it to get really dark, unless you are using a gel stain. Also, allow 24 ours for the stain coats to really dry. Hope this helps.
Suggestion - Check the stain
Good call and you were right. I just tried to make it too smooth. I guess that I'll use a scrapping card next time.
Use Dye
Use a dye and not a pigment stain. Never see the blotchies again. Sanding to 150 is plenty IMHO.
Use dry
thanks and I'll try that next time.
The only way I've had success staining maple is to spray it on like a fog or to use a tinted laquer. I do not like staining maple. It's much more beautiful left natural.
Bret
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