I am in the process of making a couple of different projects, including paneling our Library. I am using Cherry plywood as my substrate and am manufacturing custom moldings using my W&H Molder. I have a significant amount (2,000 bf) of steamed cherry that I’m using for the moldings – I want to be able to match the colors before I finish the projects by spraying M.L. Campbell’s Magnalac pre-catalyzed lacquer. As you know, steamed cherry is much darker than the cherry plywood – what can I do to match the colors between the two? In the library, I’d like the finished project to be rich and dark – is there a staining process that I could use to achieve a consistent color between the plywood and moldings?
I look forward to hearing your recommendations.
Regards,
Michael
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Replies
MinWax...red mahogony..fix it right up.
I once made paneling that covered an entire room, including the ceiling. it was maple but I still had colour differences to contend with. I finished it with what I call "presidential cherry" here are the steps I took.
first I sanded to 220 as usual then I stained the piece with a custom stain similar to red mahogany from minwax. after the stain dried I sprayed on a coat of pre-cat lacquer, then did a light sanding to knock down the grain.
the panels at this point should be nice and smooth but pretty awful looking.
the next step was a sprayed on lacquer known as a Toner, or Shader. to go with whatever stain was chosen as a base.
do not sand this layer. it may take a few coats to get the depth your after, but the important part is to keep the colour consistent. it also helps of you have quite a bit of experience with spraying.
next is 3 coats of clear pre-cat lacquer sanding very lightly with say 300 grit.
here is a really badly taken picture of the result.
Custom Cabinetry and Furniture
http://www.BartlettWoodworking.com
i have had good luck making cherry ply and solid wood match by using ml campbell microton spray stain in orange as a first coat to even out the tone then spray regular woodsong red mahogany stain over that with a lacquer topcoat 2 coats is plenty with magna lac if you lay it down wet this technique comes from the front page of a ml campbell pamphlet for woodsong stains hope this helps ps you need to thin the microton stain do not use straight way to powerful
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