Replies

1. 
   user-148830 | Aug 20, 2008 07:57pm | #1

   Shedrat,
   Well, you got yourself someone who doesn't agree with the current theory that blotchy cherry is ugly. Now I have seen beech look not great under an oil finish, but cherry's beauty is partly due to its undulating grain. Why some of these ideas flourish is a mystery to me.

   So that being said, if you really hate the look of the maple, I'd start over. Scrape, sand, plane, whatever your method and get rid of the oil. They call it penetrating oil but it doesn't really go that deep.

   Once you have fresh wood, put on a sealer coat of shellac, maybe two coats of a one pound cut. This will seal off the more porous areas of the maple. You can then apply your oil finish over this and it will penetrate more evenly. If you don't have shellac, a wash coat of rabbit skin glue of a stain conditioner works fine too. Basically you want to seal off the pores of the wood before applying your "stain". Because oil is really a stain. Every wood it touches, it darkens or yellows to some extent.

   Personally I'd consider just going with a clear blond shellac for the maple. It builds well, can handle most everything situation except sloppy drinking [its solvent is alcohol], and it gives a nice sheen.

   Good luck. Gary

1. 
   Shedrat | Aug 21, 2008 12:27am | #2

   Thanks Gary,

   I should have said I am an Aussie.

   What is "one pound cut"?

1. 
   user-148830 | Aug 21, 2008 07:39pm | #3

   You can buy shellac pre-mixed or mix it yourself. You buy flakes, usually a pound at a time and mix the flakes with denatured alcohol. One pound of flakes in a gallon of alcohol gives you a one pound cut. I use about a tablespoon and a half for 4 oz. of alcohol. This makes up a 1 1/2 pound cut. Try this as your stain sealer and then apply your oil over. It will still penetrate but more evenly. Good luck. Gary

1. 
   Shedrat | Aug 22, 2008 01:05am | #4

   Thanks Gary