Replies

1. 
   peter28 | Nov 15, 2007 04:35pm | #1

   Shaffin,

   To get the color and depth you are looking for will take multiple steps.

   I'm not clear on your description of "walnut polyurethane" Was it one of the Polyshade finishes or a related coating?

   You may be able to darken it considerably by using some gel stains.

   Sand the poly well with 220 and clean the dust off.

   You can then use a gel stain as a glaze. By definition a glaze is a color over a sealed surface.

   You may have to mix a couple together to get the desired shade you are looking for.

   Add some paint thinner to thin them down as they are quite thick. This will allow you to blend them better. How much thinner is the question. I would start at 5% to 10% and see how it felt and worked. You can always add more if required.

   Use a brush or a pad to apply it and have a clean soft brush for blending.

   Obviously you need to spend some time doing a sample board. Make one up with the same poly you used and try it on this. It will be time very well spent.

   The beauty of this step is if you don't like what you see, and before it fully cures, you can wipe it off with a little mineral spirits and start again.  

   When cured after at least a day you can proceed with your finish coats as desired.

   Also, I would caution you against using 120 grit paper on the plywood veneer. You probably could have used 150 and lightly finished with 180. The 120 is pretty aggressive and the veneer is quite thin. You don't want to cut through it.

   Good luck.

   Peter