I just built a bench/shelf from one of Ana's plans and stained it this weekend. It's just 1x12s and 1x2s from the lumber yard. I stained it a dark brown(not sure on the name right now) but it looks awful. The knots show a LOT and it looks very rustic rather than a smooth finish. I went back over it with a golden oak and that helped a little but I don't know what to do. Should I put more stain on to even it out or just poly it to finish it. I might just end up painting it later anyways because I don't love the stain.
Help!
Forums
chrisandpatience
Mon, 09/27/2010 - 13:40
In the future when you stain soft woods like pine you might want to use a pre stain conditioner. It gives a much more even look when you stain the wood. As for what you can do to fix what is already done, I am not sure what can be done other than paint.
Peace,
Patience
tnslb
Mon, 09/27/2010 - 14:01
Is the colour blotchy or the texture rough or what? Blotchy could definitely be a lack of pre-stain conditioner, I totally agree! or, it could be waiting too long to rub off the excess stain, so it gets tacky and your cloth doesn't glide over it smoothly..Texture would probably be sanding/filling issues. /ETA – example of blotchy I just had with a project - Definitely because I missed a spot with the conditioner :( - http://www.flickr.com/photos/t.....020882265/
parri
Mon, 09/27/2010 - 18:08
I wonder if you can't go back over the piece and sand it, condition it, and then restain. The knots are still going to show, but the stain should be more even. Once you get some poly on it, I'm sure you'll love it.
christy86
Tue, 09/28/2010 - 03:26
I don't think it's pine. I stained all the woodwork, doors and cabinets in our house and kitchen and never had this problem. It's not that the stain job looks bad...it's just very "rustic" looking which is not what I was going for. There are a lot of knots. Is this common with lumber bought at a lumber yard. Is there certain wood I should be asking for when I go? I might just try to sand it down a little and then restain it with a lighter color.
sjohnston
Tue, 09/28/2010 - 04:18
If it's that knotty, you probably did end up with pine. At a Home Depot you can get "clear pine" or "select pine". It costs more but is very pretty. A local lumber yard would probably have something similar.
Tsu Dho Nimh
Tue, 09/28/2010 - 08:07
christy86 said:
I don't think it's pine. I stained all the woodwork, doors and cabinets in our house and kitchen and never had this problem. It's not that the stain job looks bad...it's just very "rustic" looking which is not what I was going for. There are a lot of knots. Is this common with lumber bought at a lumber yard. Is there certain wood I should be asking for when I go? I might just try to sand it down a little and then restain it with a lighter color.
You didn't have that problem with the other wood because cabinets, moldings and doors are made of a higher quality wood.
What you got was either pine or fir - soft woods and very prone to "grabbing" stain (especially water-based stains). If you don't want knots, pick out the boards without the knots, or pay a little extra for "select" lumber with fewer knot
If you lightly sand it and stain it with a dark gel stain, then a couple coats of wipe-on polyurethane you won't see the knots as much.Restaining lighter doesn't work very well.
In the future: select your boards. If money is scarce, use the cheaper boards for the less conspicuous pieces and save the prime ones for the really visible spots.