I need to stain a quite large quantity of soft wood items. It seems to
stain very unevenly and no matter how carefully and often I apply the
stain, it looks patchy.
I've heard of soft wood conditioners that can help if applied before
staining. Does anyone have any experience of any of these - or even
better, know how I could make some up?

David

Some softwoods have a greatly varying density & will always look patchy
- for these only a light staining is possible by sealing with clear
varnish first followed by stained varnish.

Better quality softwoods can be bleached (peroxide), grain filler
applied, and stained in the normal way.

I much prefer a cellulose sealed & waxed finish personally - although
you can get coloured waxes.

On Fri, 08 Apr 2005 16:14:43 +0200, david thorpe
wrote:

I need to stain a quite large quantity of soft wood items

Softwood doesn't stain well. Condition the surface with a 1/2 cut wash
of blonde shellac (factory pre-mix, diluted 50:50 with meths) and then
use a glaze to colour it, not a stain.

On 8 Apr 2005 07:20:29 -0700, "Phil"
wrote:

I much prefer a cellulose sealed & waxed finish personally - although
you can get coloured waxes.

Could you give me a little more detail on this please,as all this is
new to me.

Cellulose sealed is what exactly? Any particular type of wax or any
wax polish you like? This is ok for softwood with a varying density?

Thanks for your help.

David

In article ,
says...
On 8 Apr 2005 07:20:29 -0700, "Phil"
wrote:

I much prefer a cellulose sealed & waxed finish personally - although
you can get coloured waxes.

Could you give me a little more detail on this please,as all this is
new to me.

Cellulose sealed is what exactly? Any particular type of wax or any
wax polish you like? This is ok for softwood with a varying density?

Thanks for your help.

David



I'd skip all fancy suggestions and just use a coloured varnish.


--
Paul Mc Cann

"david thorpe" wrote in message
...
On 8 Apr 2005 07:20:29 -0700, "Phil"
wrote:

I much prefer a cellulose sealed & waxed finish personally - although
you can get coloured waxes.

Could you give me a little more detail on this please,as all this is
new to me.

Cellulose sealed is what exactly? Any particular type of wax or any
wax polish you like? This is ok for softwood with a varying density?

You may find shellac sanding sealer easier to track down, and it does
pretty
much the same thing. That followed by Briwax P7 wax is used a lot in the
antique trade. Both dry quickly (and stink to high heaven). A classier
looking finish than polyurethane but not as durable, and not very water
resistant.


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In article ,
says...

"david thorpe" wrote in message
...
On 8 Apr 2005 07:20:29 -0700, "Phil"
wrote:

I much prefer a cellulose sealed & waxed finish personally - although
you can get coloured waxes.

Could you give me a little more detail on this please,as all this is
new to me.

Cellulose sealed is what exactly? Any particular type of wax or any
wax polish you like? This is ok for softwood with a varying density?

You may find shellac sanding sealer easier to track down, and it does
pretty
much the same thing. That followed by Briwax P7 wax is used a lot in the
antique trade. Both dry quickly (and stink to high heaven). A classier
looking finish than polyurethane but not as durable, and not very water
resistant.


--
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It has removed 3144 spam emails to date.
Paying users do not have this message in their emails.
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I don't understand this reluctance to use polyurethane. I thin it down
and apply 2-3 coats with sanding in between. Gives a nice gloss without
that 'Jammy' effect some neat polyurethanes can give. Still get the hard
wearing surface.
--
Paul Mc Cann