I veneered some old speakers with walnut. Sanded then applied Mohawk Dye Stain, half diluted with denatured alcohol. After allowing the dye to dry I sealed with dewaxed shellac and then used wood grain filler (old masters with dark brown stain) to smooth the surface. I got the black streaks/spots you see. I have resanded the wood, removed the finish and when i reapplied the stain, I still get the spots and streaks. What am I doing wrong? What is the solution if any? I assume the dark streaks are from dye and/or filler that has soaked deep into the veneer.
Replies
Did you use a modern adhesive? If so, it's probably that reading through.
Animal glue makes veneering a lot easier (don't need to clamp) and doesn't affect surface coatings.
Are the spots there when you wipe the unfinished surface with alcohol? If not you might be able to do a layer of shelac to isolate the wood, then add your finishes on top.
I think it is natural to the wood. Nothing you are doing wrong. It could be similar to pitchy pockets and/or streaks sometimes found in cherry. Frankly, I find it attractive and interesting.
I was wondering about that. Only issue is that i used the same veneer on the other speaker and got no streaks (pitchy pockets).
If I'm correct, it is not something that occurs everywhere all of the time. Some of your veneer could have come from different areas of the same tree or even from different trees.
I bought a load of cherry 10 or so years ago. Out of that load, 4 or 5 boards had extensive pitchyness to the extent that I cut them into veneer because I like the looks of it for decorative drawer/door faces.
I can't be sure that is what you have, but I could be a possibility. The main point is, I don't think it is anything you did.
Might be your glue reading through and disrupting your finishes.
Might be your glue reading through, and interrupting your subsequent finishes. Do you have any more of the veneer? If you rub it with isopropyl, does it still have those marks?