Replies

1. 
   peter28 | Jul 25, 2006 04:33am | #1

   Jamie,

   Questions are never a waste of time. If you have any wood left over to practice on sand it to 150 grit, clean it and then sand it to 180 grit.

   Next I would use some Zinseer Seal coat which is blonde shellac. In a separate container, cut this mixture in half with denatured alcohol. Brush this on your sample board. A very light sanding with 320 will soften the surface. I would also make a three to one mixture ( three parts alcohol, one part shellac) and do another board. Be sure and mark which one is which.

   Next you want to make some color samples Personally, I use water dyes quite a bit. You can find them at W.D. Lockwood in New York, Woodworkers Supply and Homestead Finishing Products to name a few. You could also one of the NGR ( non grain raising)  stains. You can call or go online for their catalog's. If  you try one of the water dyes, just be sure to wet the wood after the 150 sanding to raise the grain. Follow this with the 180 the remove the fuzziness.

   Number 141 by Lockwood is their brown amber. It sounds like what you are looking for. You can get this in one ounce packages and they supply good instructions.

   Whether you use this or an NGR, the goal is to give the wood some life. Dyes are remarkable for this. This will be your ground or background color.

   You can go directly over this with a stain or you can reseal it with your "washcoat"and then stain. In any event the poplar will come alive for you.

   The minwax antique oil won't be the best finish in this case as the penetration will be inhibited by the shellac. That's not to say you shouldn't try it on a sample board though.

   You could try one of the many varnishes out there. If you want to make a wiping varnish simply cut it with the appropriate solvent by anywhere from 25 to 50 percent. Just remember the more you thin it the more coats you need to build the surface.

   For what it's worth, I've finished lots of poplar to resemble cherry, mahogany, and maple. You had to look closely to determine it wasn't what you thought it was.

   You are doing the RIGHT thing by practising. You may be new at this but you further along than you are giving yourself credit for. You know you don't like what you are seeing and are not settling for just anything. BRAVO. Tell the Mrs. her patients will be rewarded. 

   Keep me posted.

   Peter Gedrys

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

1. 
   bejuan | Jul 25, 2006 09:48pm | #2

   Peter,

   Thanks much for the helpful advice.  I just ordered the Lockwood #141 and will keep you posted.

   Regards,

   Jamie