Replies

1. 
   SteveSchoene | Feb 24, 2008 06:47pm | #1

   Maple is a difficult wood to stain.  It wants to take pigmented stain unevenly.  You can use a "conditioner" or a wash coat so it takes up the stain more evenly, but then it absorbs even less and you can't get more than a fairly light tinting unless you just paint on the stain. 

   Minwax stains are my least favorite of the so called penetrating stains.  These typically try to combine pigment with an oil soluble dye, and in the Minwax case particularly seem to get the worst of both pigment stains and dye stains. 

   To get medium to dark shade on maple you should use a powdered water soluble aniline dye.  That will penetrate more evenly since instead of particles of the pigment it colors at a more molecular sized "particles" .  You can adjust the concentration of the dye and get what ever darkness you want without being dependant on the manufacturer's idea.

   Then, if you want, you can seal the wood and use a pigment only stain--a wiping stain--to get the depth that the pigment can provide.  The sealing prevents it from "blotching". 

    

2. 
   coltfanru | Feb 24, 2008 11:48pm | #2

   you should check out this video by mark spagnoulo. it has some good advice on "popping the grain" for maple. otherwise it is a very hard wood to stain and i don't know much about staining it.

   http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1344664476/bclid1344621875/bctid1344587224

3. 
   mapleman | Feb 25, 2008 04:50am | #3

   la,

   try a gel stain from Bartley or General finishes. Very good looking colors and nice, even penetration. Skip the gel stain by Minwax (and just about anything else made by them).

   Aniline dye is an option but they sometimes blotch as well.

   Good luck,

   Lee

1. 
   mrbird90 | Feb 25, 2008 06:07am | #4

   Get a commercial stain form Cabot or any of the big suppliers. The professional stains contain Tolulene, benzene, etc but sink in like water in a sponge. They are not ususlly sold over the counter but I have been able to purchase small amounts form a local cabinet shop. Sherwin Williams also carries the professional stain but are reluctant to sell it over the counter. This is what I use when staining maple either hard or soft.

1. 
   laflaone | Feb 26, 2008 01:32am | #5

   To the four of you that replied, thank you.  You had some good ideas, which I will try.

   Laflaone

4. 
   blewcrowe | Feb 26, 2008 07:54pm | #6

   You might try a dye, or a glaze (which is a colorized varnish or finish). Glaze application takes a bit of patience but if you fiddle with it, you'll get it.