I'm working on a project for my daughter where I need to build a rectangular floating shelf to go under her TV. The shelf will be stained a dark walnut color, which I can handle. The tricky part is that she wants me to cover the screws with maple dowels to give it a nice finish. My question is, how can I keep the dowels their natural color while staining the rest of the shelf? Should I stain the shelf first and then add the dowels afterward? I'm concerned about getting them level. Any advice would be appreciated!
3 Answers
I'd recommend staining the shelf first with a penetrating stain, then inserting and gluing the dowels. Just make sure to cut and sand them carefully, and finish with a wipe-on poly or whatever topcoat you plan to use. On the other hand, if you're open to alternatives, consider using a darker wood that's closer to the walnut color, like cherry or walnut, for a more seamless look. Good luck!
It's definitely best to stain the shelf before adding the dowels. For the dowels, cut them just a bit shorter than the hole depth, then put a tiny dab of glue on the end. Use something flat to push them in evenly. Instead of sanding later, try to push them in so they're level; it’ll help you avoid messing up the stain. If you need to remove any that go in too deep, you can use a skinny drill bit to pull them out while the glue is still wet. Hope this helps!
Stain and topcoat the shelf first. Make sure to countersink the holes for the dowels—measure the hole depth twice! Cut the dowels slightly shorter, sand the tip that will be visible, and apply a small dab of glue in the hole before tapping the dowel in. Use a block of wood to protect the dowel and shelf while you tap it in. Easy peasy! You're going to do great on this project!