DM

03/05/2004 7:30 AM

finish for mismatched maple

Hi Guys,
I'm putting together a bookcase/cabinet that has maple plywood sides
and solid maple face frame. Unfortunately the plywood veneer is much
lighter in tone than the adjacent solid wood. I was hoping to just
clear coat the project with poly, but I'm afraid it will exacerbate
the color differences. Any suggestions??
Thanks
Mark


This topic has 5 replies

tT

in reply to [email protected] (Mark) on 03/05/2004 7:30 AM

03/05/2004 3:06 PM

Mark wrote:>Hi Guys,
>I'm putting together a bookcase/cabinet that has maple plywood sides
>and solid maple face frame. Unfortunately the plywood veneer is much
>lighter in tone than the adjacent solid wood. I was hoping to just
>clear coat the project with poly, but I'm afraid it will exacerbate
>the color differences. Any suggestions??
>Thanks
>Mark
>
Test it out on some scraps, and go from lighter to darker shades in small
increments. Tom
Someday, it'll all be over....

Ba

B a r r y

in reply to [email protected] (Mark) on 03/05/2004 7:30 AM

03/05/2004 8:23 PM

On 3 May 2004 07:30:38 -0700, [email protected] (Mark) wrote:

>Hi Guys,
>I'm putting together a bookcase/cabinet that has maple plywood sides
>and solid maple face frame. Unfortunately the plywood veneer is much
>lighter in tone than the adjacent solid wood. I was hoping to just
>clear coat the project with poly, but I'm afraid it will exacerbate
>the color differences. Any suggestions??
>Thanks
>Mark

You could add color to a the clear finish and spray the lighter areas.

No spray gear? Many companies, such as Behlen's, sell tinted lacquer
premixed in spray cans. Fog it on SLOWLY, it's much easier to add
more color than to remove it later.

Practice on scrap! Take notes while you practice.

Barry

MG

"Mike G"

in reply to [email protected] (Mark) on 03/05/2004 7:30 AM

04/05/2004 8:17 AM

Hi Patriarch

Honestly, I don't know if it will work or not, only testing will tell.

Sorry, that's the best I can do.

Good luck
Mike

--
Mike G.
[email protected]
Heirloom Woods
www.heirloom-woods.net
"patriarch [email protected]>" <<patriarch> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> "Mike G" <[email protected]> wrote in
> news:[email protected]:
>
> > Even if they were the same tone you'll find that plywood, due to the
> > thin layer of veneer with a non porous layer of glue behind it will
> > take finish and or stain differently then solid wood of the same
> > species.
> >
> Mike,
>
> Would shellac help solve the problem? I've got a project on the bench
> right now, with a similar construction. The only place that a tonal
> difference would cause me a big problem is where I edge-banded the 3/4"
> maple. Otherwise, the design would be enhanced by the tonal differences.
>
> I had been planning to use Bartley's Gel Varnish, but my arm could be
> twisted to use dewaxed blonde or platinum shellac instead. These are a
> pair of night stands, and so the difference in durability is not a crucial
> factor.
>
> This finishing science/art/magic will drive me back to golf one day....
>
> Patriarch
>

MG

"Mike G"

in reply to [email protected] (Mark) on 03/05/2004 7:30 AM

03/05/2004 4:03 PM

Even if they were the same tone you'll find that plywood, due to the thin
layer of veneer with a non porous layer of glue behind it will take finish
and or stain differently then solid wood of the same species.

First thing to do is to test the ply and solid wood to see how it does react
to the finish.

If there is too much of a difference a glaze is the best answer to the
problem.

Good luck

--
Mike G.
[email protected]
Heirloom Woods
www.heirloom-woods.net
"Mark" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Hi Guys,
> I'm putting together a bookcase/cabinet that has maple plywood sides
> and solid maple face frame. Unfortunately the plywood veneer is much
> lighter in tone than the adjacent solid wood. I was hoping to just
> clear coat the project with poly, but I'm afraid it will exacerbate
> the color differences. Any suggestions??
> Thanks
> Mark

pp

patriarch <[email protected]>

in reply to [email protected] (Mark) on 03/05/2004 7:30 AM

04/05/2004 5:33 AM

"Mike G" <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:

> Even if they were the same tone you'll find that plywood, due to the
> thin layer of veneer with a non porous layer of glue behind it will
> take finish and or stain differently then solid wood of the same
> species.
>
Mike,

Would shellac help solve the problem? I've got a project on the bench
right now, with a similar construction. The only place that a tonal
difference would cause me a big problem is where I edge-banded the 3/4"
maple. Otherwise, the design would be enhanced by the tonal differences.

I had been planning to use Bartley's Gel Varnish, but my arm could be
twisted to use dewaxed blonde or platinum shellac instead. These are a
pair of night stands, and so the difference in durability is not a crucial
factor.

This finishing science/art/magic will drive me back to golf one day....

Patriarch


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