On Tue, 16 Nov 2004 22:12:13 -0500, "Frosty Thunder"
wrote:

I'm trying to stain some cherry wood and just seem to get blochy results.
I'm using a gel stain which is doing much better than the thin stuff. I'm
putting it on evenly and wiping off the excess. Is it in the wood or the
stain or the application method? Any help would be appricated.

When I stain blotchy woods like cherry and birch I head in one of two
directions.

#1 - most often - I apply a barrier coat of Seal Coat, then wipe on a
Behlen's pigment stain. The stain is dry brushed while it's wet until
it's even. Watch for pigment build-up in corners and at edges. For
more color. apply another barrier coat and add another treatment of
the same or a different color pigment stain. (optional) Apply a light
colored dye, like Solar Lux before the first barrier. Use a barrier
between each product until you begin to add clear top coats. I
lightly scuff the top coats with 320 grit to keep things smooth and
remove dust nibs.

#2 - add colorant to a clear lacquer and build color as I spray clear
top coats. Don't try to do this in one coat, build color slowly.

#1 will not usually work with Home Center brands of stain, they will
never dry. The H.Behlen and Mohawk lines handle much differently and
dry much faster than cheaper stuff. So, if you try the method with
different materials and it dosen't work, don't blame me. G

Practice on scrap!

Barry