Dark Finish For Poplar - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

ColonelForbin · 09-09-2012, 10:16 PM

Hello everyone!
I am almost finished with a co-sleeper that I made for my unborn daughter.
This is my first furniture attempt in many, many years. I typically make little boxes and such.
I made it with Poplar in an effort to keep the cost down and keep the wood as non-toxic as possible for my little newborn.
I usually use nicer wood that I just oil and poly spray to finish.
I am not good at all with dyes or stains.
What is the easiest and fastest curing way to give it a nice dark, durable finish?
Pic shown below.
I appreciate any guidance.

Berone · 09-09-2012, 10:32 PM

That's a very nice piece! If I was finishing it for my little one to have her face up against I would do the following:
1- Do samples on scrap of everything
2- Use a pre-conditioner before staining (since this isn't your thing, MinWax makes a perfectly good pre-conditioner. This will keep the stain from coming out blotchy.)
3- If I could, I would use a water bourne stain. If not, I would let it sit for a week or two for the stain to be fully cured and off-gassing to cease.
4- I would top coat it with Behlen's Salad Bowl Finish. It is a completely non-toxic, food safe finish that is one of the easiest things to apply. I used it on the rocking horse I made for my son when he was 2 and it gave the finished product a silky smooth finish that feels nice to touch and I know is safe for him to have his face against. Or his teeth around (although he was never a biter and is going on 4 now). The product can be tricky to find locally, but you can order it from Hartville Tools, either directly or through Amazon. I also used it on our butcher block counter two years ago. It's due for a new coat now, but that counter takes a beating!

bdsears · 09-10-2012, 01:49 AM

I don't have any advice on finishing (way to new for that.)

I just wanted to say how awesome that piece is.

will8989 · 09-10-2012, 04:17 AM

Why stain it at all? I would take some scraps and dip them in a combo of either mineral oil and mineral spirits or if you want a darker finish, tung oil & mineral spirits. The mineral spirits are necessary for thinning the oil so you can dip and for the oil to dry. If you don't use the spirits, the oil won't dry. When it cures it will be completely safe. I say this as your poplar looks like it has some color to it and it may only need the oil to make it pop.

ColonelForbin · 09-10-2012, 08:46 PM

Thank you for your kind words and great suggestions.
If I were to go with mineral oil and spirits, what is the appropriate mixing ratio?

ColonelForbin · 09-10-2012, 09:59 PM

also, would Boiled Linseed Oil accomplish a similar look to Tung Oil?

wood-n-things · 09-11-2012, 12:07 AM

BLO will accomplish the same as the tung oil. You don't mix the mineral spirits with mineral oil. You would do approximately a 50/50 mix of mineral spirits and tung oil...Nicely done project...You could also use the beeswax finish on it and just touch it up periodically.

SteveK · 09-11-2012, 03:18 AM

Well, I had to look up what a co-sleeper was, and yours is neat! I think we had an easy chair or some such against the bed, more than 30 yrs ago.

09-09-2012, 10:32 PM	#2
Berone Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Peekskill, NY Posts: 383 Thanks: 4 Thanked 20 Times in 18 Posts	That's a very nice piece! If I was finishing it for my little one to have her face up against I would do the following: 1- Do samples on scrap of everything 2- Use a pre-conditioner before staining (since this isn't your thing, MinWax makes a perfectly good pre-conditioner. This will keep the stain from coming out blotchy.) 3- If I could, I would use a water bourne stain. If not, I would let it sit for a week or two for the stain to be fully cured and off-gassing to cease. 4- I would top coat it with Behlen's Salad Bowl Finish. It is a completely non-toxic, food safe finish that is one of the easiest things to apply. I used it on the rocking horse I made for my son when he was 2 and it gave the finished product a silky smooth finish that feels nice to touch and I know is safe for him to have his face against. Or his teeth around (although he was never a biter and is going on 4 now). The product can be tricky to find locally, but you can order it from Hartville Tools, either directly or through Amazon. I also used it on our butcher block counter two years ago. It's due for a new coat now, but that counter takes a beating! __________________ Anthony "There's a very fine line between a groove and a rut."

09-10-2012, 01:49 AM	#3
bdsears A Saw Horse Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Jerseyville, IL USA Posts: 861 Thanks: 28 Thanked 51 Times in 49 Posts	I don't have any advice on finishing (way to new for that.) I just wanted to say how awesome that piece is. __________________ Brenda Brenda's Blog (This is a little bit of everything, Scrapbooking, Crocheting, Crafting, Wood Crafting) Brenda's Gallery "If you are not always busy something is wrong!"

09-10-2012, 04:17 AM	#4
will8989 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Glen Burnie, MD Posts: 2,266 Thanks: 2 Thanked 18 Times in 18 Posts	Why stain it at all? I would take some scraps and dip them in a combo of either mineral oil and mineral spirits or if you want a darker finish, tung oil & mineral spirits. The mineral spirits are necessary for thinning the oil so you can dip and for the oil to dry. If you don't use the spirits, the oil won't dry. When it cures it will be completely safe. I say this as your poplar looks like it has some color to it and it may only need the oil to make it pop. __________________ Betty "Congress needs to realize it is a government of the people, by the people and for the people. Not of the people, by the people and for Congress." - Dr. Benjamin Carson, Pediatric Neurosurgeon, Johns Hopkins Hospital

09-11-2012, 12:07 AM	#7
wood-n-things Staying Positive Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Hamilton, Montana Posts: 18,586 Thanks: 51 Thanked 384 Times in 284 Posts	BLO will accomplish the same as the tung oil. You don't mix the mineral spirits with mineral oil. You would do approximately a 50/50 mix of mineral spirits and tung oil...Nicely done project...You could also use the beeswax finish on it and just touch it up periodically. __________________ "Montana MIKE" There is a very fine line between “hobby” and “mental illness.” As You Slide Down the Banister of Life, Pray That All The Splinters Are Pointed The Other Way... "Don't worry about old age--it doesn't last that long." Mike's Wood-n-Things

09-11-2012, 03:18 AM	#8
SteveK Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 689 Thanks: 30 Thanked 52 Times in 52 Posts	Well, I had to look up what a co-sleeper was, and yours is neat! I think we had an easy chair or some such against the bed, more than 30 yrs ago. __________________ Steve Richmond, VA It's curved when I want straight, and straight when I want curved. DW-788

09-10-2012, 08:46 PM	#5
ColonelForbin Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 13 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thank you for your kind words and great suggestions. If I were to go with mineral oil and spirits, what is the appropriate mixing ratio?

09-10-2012, 09:59 PM	#6
ColonelForbin Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 13 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	also, would Boiled Linseed Oil accomplish a similar look to Tung Oil?

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