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Woodworking Paint

Help with Staining White Poplar!

8 years ago

Here is the dilemma - we were talked into white poplar doors (which I now realize was a terrible choice knowing we intended to stain them the entire time). We are getting a 'yellow animal-stripe' type appearance over the grain (see second attached picture). We have had success with pre-stain first (eliminates the yellow), but the stain is still showing up quite splotchy (top picture, splotchy in bottom two corners). So, we clearly are able to eliminate the yellow, but I'm not OK with the splotchiness! Thoughts on what to try next? Ideas?

Featured Answer

User

8 years ago

Find either a paint color you like or a faux finish using paints. The stripes happen because white poplar has two different grain textures. One(the softer grain) takes stain easily. The other(harder grain---ergo the stripes) does not absorb as much stain, resulting in the lighter color.

You could try a darker stain, but it won't help much.

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Comments (6)

bobismyuncle
8 years ago
Yes, a characteristic of poplar. https://videos.popularwoodworking.com/courses/the-10-commandments-of-finishing?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=pwt-rfa-nl-180615&k=WpTqkiFvg8USiX7feWl08w46puPx9v27LbK90nnnQec%3D&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&utm_campaign=pwt-rfa-nl-180615 A better stain or wash coat may help, as might advanced finishing techniques such as toners and glazes. https://www.popularwoodworking.com/dec12/flexner-on-finishing-sealers-washcoats https://www.popularwoodworking.com/woodworking-blogs/flexner-on-finishing-woodworking-blogs/how-wood-conditioners-are-giving-washcoats-a-bad-name
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sloyder
8 years ago
Poplar is more of a paint grade wood. They do have a special kit for staining Poplar I have seen.
PRO
Wooden It Be Nice - Custom Woodworking
8 years ago
What you can do is apply a coat of shellac first to seal the wood. Then you can apply a gel stain which won't soak into the wood and cause an uneven grain pattern. Test it on a sample first as the look will show less grain pattern. Good luck. Scott
PRO
Sombreuil
8 years ago
do you have a photo of the type of finish you were hoping to attain?

Casey
krybicki
Original Author
8 years ago
Thank you for all of your suggestions. Problem solved! We ended up sanding with 120 grit (had previously only tried 220), and were able to eliminate the 'yellow' stripes - see picture attached

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