Replies

1. 
   WillGeorge | Oct 04, 2008 11:01pm | #1

   (the poplar has steaks)

   I am sure you will not like my answer. I use poplar very often.. A bit soft but a wonderful wood to work with. I just wipe on some oil and wax and then leave it as any wood should be.. As it was grown!

   I feel nothing unpleasant about wood in a natural state.

    OK some oil and wax on top!

   
   

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   Edited 10/4/2008 4:02 pm by WillGeorge

2. 
   webby | Oct 05, 2008 12:21am | #2

   I have stained alot of poplar too, and some times it is fine sometimes it is horrible. It all depends on the grain, and poplar being a wood where the winter growth and summer growth are not noticably different for example like pine.

   I forget which growth is which.

   I try to pick stock that has a tight straight grain, the peices that have the swirl or wavy grain often will look very uneven. I learned that lesson the hardway when I built a mantle for my home.

   I also use a prestain conditioner when I stain. It seems to really help.

   You could also try a stain then a sealcoat of shellac then a glaze to even out the streaks. Then a protective coat of poly. I am not sure if anything else is compatible with the glaze.

   Webby 

    

   
   

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   Edited 10/4/2008 7:09 pm ET by webby