I have been trying to finish a couple or doors. Something went wrong in the finish product (I think). Can anybody spot my mistake so I can complete the job? I should add that this technique worked flawlessly on a previous set of doors.

This pair of doors has a (very expensive) molded glass center. So I am finishing only the frame surround, which is a set of 2x6,1-1/2 thick. I do not wish the strong grain to adsorb color and become dominant.

The main colorant is a toner that I made: It is Hydrocote lacquer colored with a premixed water borne dye. The dye was mixed first, cooled, and then poured into the lacquer. The mixture seems to be uniform in color.



My spray sequence was

1) Spray the door with a coat of Bullseye shellac and, after drying,
I lightly sanded it smooth. The idea of the shellac was to prevent the
grain from becoming too strong in the final product.

2) I then sprayed the water borne lacquer toner on top.


3) If nothing went wrong I would then spray a couple of coats of clear
Hydrocote and rub out the finish.

I have used this technique before with excellent results. However, this time the result was a blotchy mess. At first I thought it was fisheye. But, after drying, it appears to be smooth. but blotchy. The color is not uniform - even thought the toner seems to be uniform in color and consistency.

Should I:

1) just keep spraying hoping that it will become uniform with increased
colorant or should I stop and strip it.

2) add more color to the hydrocote

3) try to make a dye mix with significantly less water and add that
to a new batch of Hydrocote.

4) strip it and try a whole new approach.

Len