Ron wrote:

I'm building a pair of valances/shelves which need to be stained
to match the other
nearby stained pine and they want to use pine for this also.

I plan on using an oil based Gel stain from General Finishes
However, when making a couple color samples at a local store, the
guy dampened
the wood first, then wiped on the stain. It still turned out a
bit splochy.

I know about raising the grain by dampening the wood, but, not
sure how it's supposed
to help in this case.

Is it best just apply it to dry bare wood?

Seal it first with a sanding sealer of some sort?
The Zinnseer stuff I have says it can be used under any CLEAR
finish.. So not sure it thats the answer or not.

I plan on doing some experimenting tomorrow, but, was just looking
for some other suggestions
on how to reduce the slochyness, if possible.

ThankX
Ron

Pine (or spf) is simply a difficult wood to stain. What would be cool
is if someone could figure out a way to give pine that 30 yr old aged
look in 20 minutes. Aged, clearfinished, natural pine is an exeedingly
beautiful wood, in my opinion.

As far as I know, most commercially "stained" and finished pine has a
sprayed on laquer finish. That is, it's not really stained... it's
more or less spray painted with a tinted coating for color.

Finishing is not my strong suit though. Feel free to correct me.