Finishing advice needed

[MikeDingas]

I scrolled the elephant woodimal puzzle in last SSWC magazine using poplar. The cutting came out good but I'm at a loss regarding how to finish it. If I stain it, the interior cuts obsorb too much color and are much darker that the surfaces. I'm leaning towards a walnut stain but don't like the dark insides. Any advice is appreciated.

[JohnB]

G'day Mike,
I have not tried this technique on a scrolled pattern but have finished many pieces of furniture using it.
Mix your stain with your finish. Just a few drops, so that one coat is lighter than the required finish. Brush or spray your item and just keep on applying coats after the previous one has dried until you get the colour you want.
Just be careful cutting back between coats, because the colour is only in the finish. It has not struck into the wood as it would if you stained first.

Hope this helps

[Bill Wilson]

I've never tried this, so take this suggestion for what it's worth. What if you put a little bit of a pre-stain conditioner in a flat pan and set the puzzle pieces in it, the conditionere just deep enough that it didn't come in contact with the surface of the puzzle, just the bottom and the edges. Maybe that would restrict the absorption enough to blend the stain a little better?

It the conditioner were thinned a little, hopefully it wouldn't build up too much on the edges to interfere with assembly of the puzzle.

[minowevie]

Originally Posted by MikeDingas

I scrolled the elephant woodimal puzzle in last SSWC magazine using poplar. The cutting came out good but I'm at a loss regarding how to finish it. If I stain it, the interior cuts obsorb too much color and are much darker that the surfaces. I'm leaning towards a walnut stain but don't like the dark insides. Any advice is appreciated.

Mike, one of the things i have done is tape the places you don't wont stained. the only thing with stain is , it is so liquid it will travale into the other places it touchs. have you read the last SSW&C mag. on sues articale. there is some great advice there. and tecneics on how to apply some of these dyes, and stains. its on page 50 of the issue 29.
it would be alot of work. but the dabber thing works great. and sanding it off the insides work good for me. I use a small camel hair brush, you can let the stain dry just alittle , and rub it on. instead of the whole wet mess. also a rag, like a tea shirt. just let it dry some, then rub it on. hope this helps.
Evie

[MikeDingas]

Thanks for the ideas. I've another.

If I can find the right color, I may try dry brush stencil cream. You have a lot of control over density and where the paint goes. Trouble is I may not be able to get a suitable color in time for my show.

[greatcountysky]

What about a clear finish? You don't necessarily have to stain the wood. Poplar is a beautiful wood, and depending on the grain you might be able to get the best final result by just finishing it with a clear finish. Just a thought. Plus, if you are worried about one part getting too dark from the other types of stains then this would be the route.


The GreatCountySky
business administration degree

[minowevie]

Originally Posted by MikeDingas

Thanks for the ideas. I've another.

If I can find the right color, I may try dry brush stencil cream. You have a lot of control over density and where the paint goes. Trouble is I may not be able to get a suitable color in time for my show.

Mike that sounds like a great idea, that reminded me of shoe polish. you can use the paste or cream as well. Evie

[Sparhawk]

Hey maybe try that hot sand finishing technique I saw in one of the back issues. Then just finish as normal. Don't know. I was intrigued by that article. Kind of want to see someone do it before I try it.

Matt

[workin for wood]

Where's the picture of the puzzle? I'm sure we'd like to see it.

[MikeDingas]

Originally Posted by workin for wood

Where's the picture of the puzzle? I'm sure we'd like to see it.

I posted a pic in another message but here it is again. I finally mixed some BLO and maple stain together. After that dried, I sprayed several coats of lacquer.