I need help fixing a mess I made while staining some maple boards! My wife wanted them stained a very dark brown to match our doors, but I originally planned to leave them natural with just a shellac finish. I thought using a good prestain conditioner would help, but now the boards are super splotchy after staining with Varathane oil-based stain. I did a whole sanding process (80-220), cleaned them up, and applied everything correctly—as far as I know—but it's not working out. I've heard about using dye-based stains on maple, but since I already used an oil-based product, I'm unsure of my options. Any advice on how to save these boards or fix the finish?
3 Answers
I'm not entirely sure, but you might really need to sand it all back down. It's a real bummer that more manufacturers don't stress testing on scrap first. I've been in your shoes before with table tops, and honestly, it’s a frustrating but preventable situation!
You could try using a pre-mixed toner to even things out. If you have access to Mohawk products, they’re worth a look. If the color is too dark, you can often lighten it up with a solvent, then even it out, and finish with a topcoat. Just be cautious!
I’ve never worked with toners before. How hard are they to apply?
Definitely test on some scrap wood first before trying anything. The best approach now might be to sand everything back down to bare wood and start over with either a dye or gel stain. Maple can be tricky with oil-based stains, as you’ve found out. Good luck!
If you switch to dye stains, make sure to prep the wood well. You may need to apply a different finish too afterward.
Yeah, I messed up on a small test area too! I didn’t realize how big the difference would be on a larger surface. It’s tough, but starting fresh might be your best bet.
I thought testing would save me too, but I guess I didn't do it well enough. I should've been more careful. Live and learn, right?