Replies

1. 
   Bufarilo | Apr 25, 2008 09:03pm | #1

   I had heard just the other day that if you burnished the wood before staining that for woods that tend to blotch like cherry the stain goes on much better. they suggested that the use of 1000 grit paper would do this, but I have not had the chance to try it. you might try a sample piece.

2. 
   user-148830 | May 03, 2008 07:53pm | #2

   Hi,
   Well bookmatching panels will often produce results that look one way from one direction and exactly the opposite from the other direction. This is because if you take one board with a prominent figure and hence a distinctive grain direction, slice it in two and open it up like a book to bookmatch it, the grain direction will automatically be running in opposite directions. It's very tough to minimize the way that the light bounces off the grain.

   The blotchiness of cherry in general is due to the grain swirling and rising and falling as it meets the surface of a board. So when finish is applied you'll have parts of the wood that are more porous. They will soak up more finish and look darker. Personally I like the look, but if you don't, then you have to seal the wood first.

   Apply a resist coat of shellac, rabbit skin glue, or a stain conditioner to seal the wood first. Then apply your finish over that. The finish will absorb more evenly over the entire panel. Check out Jeff Jewett's book, The Complete Illustrated Guide to Finishes for more details. Good luck. Gary