Robert,

You had a couple points that could be part, or all of my problem(s).

Next time I'll wait longer than 24 hours. Even with the air
conditioning here in the mid-west it isn't dry like Arizona is so that
could be part of the problem. The stain may not have been as dry as I
thought.

I don't think the applicator (a cut up t-shirt) was the problem. On
the other hand the applicator (me) could have rubbed too hard.

With a little longer wait and a little less pressure I hope to get
better results on the next project.

Thanks,
R.C.


On 12 Jul 2006 21:35:29 -0700, wrote:

With oak, 24 hours may not be enough. Try staining, waiting a few days
and then sealing. Some pieces of oak are so hard they don't get much
of the stain color on them unless you leave lot of stain on the wood.
Another problem that is prevalent with oak is the fact that with the
open tubes in the grain it can absorb a lot of stain/solvent in these
tubes and it will not dry in just 24 hours. When you hit it with a
lighter solvent (in the finish) and rub across it with a pad full of
said finish it will draw out the undried stain.

However, if it is mostly on the edges, I would suspect applicator (you)
or applicator (device) as the problem. Depending on what you are using
and how you use it to apply the finish could be the answer. It sounds
like you are rubbing the stain (which may not be 100% cured) off. I
pretty much use the throw away pads with the styrofoam handles on them
for wiping finish and make sure I am going the right direction with
them when applying. ( Some have a right and wrong direction for
finishing.) DO NOT go over your work when you are pad applying.

Dip the pad, and apply the finish with enough pressure to leave a
solid coat behind the pad, usually about 3 mil (thickness of a dollar
bill) or so. Put on a line of finish, pick up your wet edge with the
edge of the pad on the next pass, and move on. Going over your work is
a recipe for disaster on a lot of levels, not the least being that that
the stain softened by a solvent based finishes will move around and
dissolve.

Just as a sidebar, I think it was a Jeff Jewitt article I read a little
while back that he is now liking Scotch Brite pads for some wipe on
finishes. I don't see why not.

Robert