Help! I’m finishing a small tv cab I built for my son to use as a dedicated “game cube” monitor.
My wife said she wanted a walnut finish.. but after I applied the first coat she said it “wasn’t dark enough”.
I used a stain/poly “all in one” product. Can I just go get a darker stain and mix it in with the stuff I’m already using for the second coat? I have in mind a ZAR stain I once used that is really dark.. almost ebony. Thanks in advance.
Replies
Bill,
On the side of the can it should say if you can mix the stain with other (darker) stains. Usually you can...and apply another coat.
Thanks, BG. I'll look on the can. Happy Holidays!
Have you thought about changing wives?
Many times, believe me. Nothing is ever how she wanted it. Drives me crazy.
Hey Shep,
I have been told mnay tiems over the years by my spouse that the finish on this is too dark, on that too light, or thbis piece really did not come out so good (ouch), and I always went back to the table and adjusted this or that. It never occurred to me to do what you suggest, LOL.
Nah, my wife's a keeper. I'll keep on making adjustments hare and there. She's worth it.
Merry Christmas to you and yours
Mine's a keeper, too. She's put up with me for 28 years now. Besides, I 've forgotten what little I knew about dating, anyway.
Bill,
With some--perhaps most--stains you can put on another coat without trouble. So long as the solvent in the second stain doesn't affect the first coat of stain you should be fine. But even if the second stain doesn't affect the first, there is a tendency for the colors to mix and turn to mud. Try the two stains on a piece of scrap to see if there's going to be a problem (there should be no surprises in finishing).
If the second coat's solvent affects the first coat, or the two colors turn muddy, you can still put on a second coat of stain without too much trouble. Simply put a spit coat, or wash coat as some would say, of shellac between the two stains. Shellac acts as a barrier between the stains and keeps the colors of both stains separate. N.b., make double sure neither stain is alcohol base!
Alan
Thanks, Alan. I'll stick to the same brand and try the mix on another piece of oak ply.
I have tried to mix stains with the "muddy" results you describe.. and they were both ZAR.
It's good to know about the wash coat, too.
I appreciate your taking the time, Alan.
Build 2 of them..stain one the way you want to and the other how she wants it...you can always use the other one for a nice drill press cabinet or router bit storage for the shop..lol
Believe it or not.. with minor modifications I made this same cab for my benchtop router table and for my drill press.
I'm going to be making another for my new benchtop planer.
Great minds.. etc.
Usually with the stain/poly mixes you can darken it by adding another coat, but check the instructions. Give it a light sanding and wipe down and apply a second thin coat.
It does say that a second coat will darken the finish. I just wonder if it'll be dark enough to satisfy the Mrs.
If not, I might spray paint the sucker black and have done with it! LOL
just a thought......
dim the lights...??
j/k
I hope it works out for you.....
Mike Wallace
Stay safe....Have fun
If we changed wives , who would let us know that the color was off ? Sometimes trying to repair a finish can be discouraging , and downright impossible . The good thing is when the project is done it is done . The wife is a constant reminder of ? many things , wouldn't you agree ?
An old customer once said this to me , and I never forgot it .
" you can do it her way now, or later " dusty
" you can do it her way now, or later "
Truer words were never spoken.
As it turns out.. I just steel wooled it and applied another coat of the same poly/stain mix and.. miracle of miracles.. she approved it!
Another approach is to carry it back down to the shop and leave it there for a week or ten days while you work on other things. Then dab a little mineral spirits on it and rub it down so it smells newly finished, carry it back upstairs and ask, "How's that? Did I get it too dark?"
You brought me a great laugh. Which I needed. Thanks, Unc!
You talk my language Uncle. I've actually done that a few times when the customer was being ridiculous. They loved it...they didn't know...I walked away the hero...who cares? I usually give the customers exactly what they want but there's a process called getting on with life. I'm glad there's others out there who think the same.
Don't change wives, give her dark sunglasses for Christmas.
What, and have her trade in her rose colored glasses?
Whenever I make a piece of furniture for a client I always get the WIFE to choose the stain. I make a sample or two and send it home with them so they can see it in their own house, under the light the piece will be in, and to compare with their existing furniture.
Remember: Men can see only 16 colors. Peach is a flavor, not a color.
Enery
You are a wise man, Enery. Sounds like you've learned from experience which is the best teacher.
I'm not sure "wise" is the best word. Maybe "gunshy" is better. "Once bitten, twice shy" they used to say. I didn't get this old without learning something ;-))
I always liked a saying I first heard in Peru: The Devil knows more because he's old than he knows because he's the Devil.
Thanks for the kind words, in any case. Like most of us, I can always do with a kind word or two.
Enery
I can't think of 16 colors. All I know is that my money should be green and my food should be "brown, hot, and lots of it".
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