Replies

1. 
   sapwood | Jun 09, 2008 08:00pm | #1

   "This walnut has "character" and I would like to homogenize the finish a little."

   Why not strip it of it's identity altogether and use paint?
   Personally, I like character. It probably describes the gentleman who harvested the wood.

1. 
   g_hepplewhite | Jun 09, 2008 08:18pm | #2

   Sapwood,

   Dont get me wrong I like character (and sapwood). The problem I have with it is the vast color difference between boards. If I could have gotten the top out of one board I would welcome a few knots and sapwood. The blanket chest that I made from this lumber had quite a few knots and turned out very well. The difference being I was able to choose stock with the same color and grain patterns.

   Tom

1. 
   Gretchen | Jun 10, 2008 01:20am | #3

   I think you should talk with the client. It has history with them, and I agree with the previous poster about "celebrating character".Gretchen

2. 
   forestgirl | Jun 10, 2008 05:56pm | #4

   Tom, I used Jeff Jewitt's TransTint dyes to even out a walnut piece awhile back, it was dead simple.  Here is a link to a post with some more pictures and explanation of the two dyes I used.  Look below the very last picture in that post to see two links to the info that helped me with the project.

   View Image

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 
   
1. 
   g_hepplewhite | Jun 10, 2008 06:29pm | #5

   forestgirl,

   Thanks. It looks like the finish turned out quite nice.

   Tom

1. 
   forestgirl | Jun 11, 2008 05:13am | #6

   Thanks, G.  Jeff's instructions, FAQ's and such (2 books) helped alot.  The final finish on those pieces, once the item was put together, was padded shellac.  It was a shadowbox for a present from my hubby to his dad, I think for his 101st birthday.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)