Replies

1. 
   SteveSchoene | Jan 11, 2010 07:12am | #1

   Congratulations on being one of the very few folks who can get a successful result using Polyshades. Most find it very troublesome and I generally recommend against it. I much prefer the control that comes from separating the coloring steps from the top coat. For me at least, I would need to be spraying to use top coats that contain more than a faint coloration.

   If your back is to be very visible, I'd recommend using either solid alder, or if you can run it down, alder ply. But, other wise poplar (if you can find it light colored), or maple ply would work, but I would start with a light dye step to bring the back ground color to a decent match with your alder. A powdered water soluble dye would work fine. The Polyshades will obscure differences in grain.

2. 
   Westchester | Jan 11, 2010 12:04pm | #2

   I think a birch will work OK. At the lumber yard look through several samples and different cuts before you choose a plywood board. Boards differ in grain. One will look closer to the alder then another.

   Since you're using a finish that obscures the grain - the skill to blend becomes a finishing skill rather then the choice of wood.

   SA

3. 
   oldusty | Jan 11, 2010 10:37pm | #3

   Red Birch Veneer match Alder very good as does Alder ply