Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/Tung oil and stain

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Expert: - 3/23/2008


Question
Hi Eileen:

I put 2 coats of tung oil on a new piece of tiger maple and now I would like to make the finish a bit darker.  Can I apply stain now that I've put the tung oil on?

Thanks,

Mark

Answer
Hi Mark
Nice to hear from you.
You can do this if you remove the oil but it cannot be done over it.
Also keep in mind that maple just does not stain well. Tiger maple included.
The wood is just too dense to absorb stain.
I have actually tried a very dark walnut stain and a very light oak stain on a sample piece of maple.
You could not tell which was which.
Just the way it is with maple.
Regards
Eileen

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Eileen Cronk

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Hi..I can answer most questions about the repairing,stripping and refinishing of all your old furniture and wood items(the things we call antiques)I can give advice about what to buy/avoid at auctions/flea markets. I do not give appraisals on antiques.

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