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Hi there I have been attempting to stain a pine bookcase, I conditioned the wood first as I was adviced to do so it would absorb the stain evenly, applied the first coat, then we left it for about a week before doing any more to it, decided we would like it a bit richer looking so applied a second coat of stain, now it looks blotchy and darker in some spots, is this because I waited too long to appy the second coat of stain, what do I do now, is there any way to correct this problem, I am planning to varnish it with a matte finish. Any advice will be appreciated, thanks
Hi Christine, Pine is a soft wood and is notorious for being blotchy, Once the conditioner has a chance to dry it's no longer effective, as it's just a oil "stain" without color, and is only effective right after being applied. A wash coat sealer of dewaxed shellac, followed by a Gel stain will give great results. If you had reapplied the "conditioner" right before staining the second time, it would have helped, but you likely would still have the "blotchies", as with a oil stains and Pine, it's hard to avoid. Next time try a Gel stain on a softwood.They're thicker and in a urethane base, so they tend to stain more evenly. The key to any staining is to sneak up on the color with a few thin coats of stain, and yet another reason why it's imperative to always DO A SAMPLE....from start to finished "finish" ...even if it's under a shelf or on the side that's going to face "Uncle Ed's favorite chair". I would just finish it, and do a good job. A nice clear finish has the ability to even out the look and refract light in such a way that it won't bother you as much. Then, if you hate that, you can paint it!.........hope that helps a little- Greg
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| Comment | Thank you so much I feel much better and I think the cabinet will be okay, the stain seemed to even out better after it totally dried, guess some areas dry more slowly than others and I kind of panicked, I am going to varnish it and see how that looks, i think it will be fine, thanks so much for the reassurance, I neede that I am doing this for my son who had the bookcase built by a friend and he really didn't want to paint it. | ||
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Answers by Expert:
Greg Scholl
Expertise
Questions on Woodworking, wood finishing and refinishing of all kinds, repairing furniture and wooden objects, Architectural details, Woodturning, carving, tool usage, product usage, some chemistry as it applies to woodworking and related interests,cabinet making and furniture construction/design, etc. I have experience with all manners of colorants, finishes, paints, stains, dyes, glazes, and coatings, wood species recognition and usage,tool recommendations, blade types and recommendation,techniques and methods for many Woodworking related issues, etc.
Experience
Fine furniture restorer and cabinet maker for over 30 years,serving high end Antique dealers, Interior designers, Collectors in the CT area. Consulting for area Painting/Decorating and Building contractors on non painting issues..(staining, wood prep.,clear finishing, floor restoration and architectural detail restoration and repair, etc.) Sold, built, serviced, setup Home, Industrial, and Commercial stationary woodworking tools for a major tool retailer in CT. for three years, sold hand and power tools , provided knowledge, parts replacement, service, and on site service, Trade show Demo, and training as well.
Publications
Published in Fine Woodworking Magazine (12/97), included on Fine Woodworkings first "Best of Fine Woodworking" CD-ROM (2002) ...("27 year compilation of expert know-how")
Education/Credentials
Art School at Silvermine Guild in Norwalk, CT., 9 year apprenticeship in a European run Cabinet and Restoration shop in CT., various classes on subjects having to do with the field. Seminars from major Tool manufacturers, Skil/Bosch, Delta, Powermatic, Ritter, Porter cable, Milwaukee, Dewalt/B&Decker, Performax.
Past/Present Clients
Many varied clients including work on Martha Stewarts' Westport, CT. show house, many fine Antique dealers and private collectors in and around Fairfield County and in Woodbury, CT. (the Antiques capital of CT.), Golden Age of Trucking Museum, Wilton Historical Society.
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