Subject: staining oak endgrain

From: L Anthony Whitney <[email-masked]>
Date: Wed, 12 Feb 1997 18:04:52 -0500

I've turned several ball top finials for railing posts.  Now I want to
stain them.  How can I prevent the end grain from turning almost black?
Will staining over shellac do the job? TIA Tony.

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From: [email-masked] (Philip Procter)
Date: Thu, 13 Feb 1997 15:13:56 GMT

>Will staining over shellac do the job? TIA Tony.

I've heard (but NOT tried it yet) that using paste type stains will
work, as they do not penetrate quickly. Using a spit coat (highly
dilute shellac) is another technique. For either, I'd advise a very
fine sanding of the end grain (600 grit) before staining.

In either case, TRY IT FIRST on some scrap wood!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Let us know the results, please!

Philip

God first,
then your neighbors and yourself,
all else is commentary.

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From: jim mcnamara <[email-masked]>
Date: Thu, 13 Feb 1997 10:27:18 -0700

Whatever you try, practice on scraps first.

There are some options -
A. try a gel stain, like Bartley's, over a washcoat of 
   #1 shellac.  This will still provide a darker area on 
   endgrain.  But contrasts will be a whole lot less.
   Overall staining color denisty will be very light.
B. Finish with padding lacquer (or wiping varnish). Let it cure
   for several days. Sand with 600 grit.
   Then spray on a very dilute toner made
   from #1 shellac and alcohol soluble dyes.  Spray several-many
   coats until you have to color you need to match the posts.
   Do not sand between coats.
   If you need dark & light areas (in coves, for example)
   you can apply a darker glaze with a small brush to those areas.
   Let it cure for at least 48 hours, then apply a topcoat.
   This will provide no darkening on endgrain at all.
   And you can get any color density you need.  

If you have not already finished the posts, it would be a good idea
to use exactly the same methodology on your posts as you chose for
your finials, whatever it is.

jim mcnamara

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From: [email-masked] (John Paquay)
Date: 13 Feb 1997 17:14:15 GMT

In article <[email-masked]>, [email-masked] says...
>Will staining over shellac do the job? TIA Tony.

First, the end grain needs to be sanded extremely smooth.  A sanding
sealer would be a good move to insure the most even stain job... and
you'll want to sand to at least 400 grit.  An oil stain will likely give better
results than a water based stain.

-- 
John Paquay
[email-masked],  [email-masked]
http://www.physics.purdue.edu/~jep/
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Without my wings you know I'd surely die...