Replies

1. 
   xxxxx | Mar 18, 2006 08:18pm | #1

   Stain as dark as you can,which won't be all that dark.  Then take it to the desired colour with coloured laquer-toning.

   Paul

1. 
   SteveSchoene | Mar 20, 2006 01:20am | #2

   While the typical pigmented stain won't darken small pored wood like maple very much, without obscuring the grain, this is a perfect place for a analine dye. With a dye powder, mixed with distilled water, you can make the surface as dark as you want, by varying the concentration of the dye. Moreover, the dye will reduce the tendancy of maple to "blotch".