sweep

Hello all. First post. Thinking about purchasing Charles Neil's finishing DVD set around Christmas. In the interim, I am trying to make do by using some of the techniques/tips he has freely available and advice from this forum.

Project: Staining a coffee table
Wood: Poplar / Sanded: 120 grit / Stain: Minwax oil - red mahogany
Protective Finish: Minwax wipe on poly (semi-gloss)

(Using Minwax, because I have some unopened product that is a few months old - althought any other suggestions are welcome)

Q) Staining: After 1st application of this type of stain, do I hit it with a 150 and then reapply the stain till I get to desired color ?

Q) Protective: After the last coat of oil stain I planned on sanding with 220 between coats of poly and then with 320 before the final coat. Any advice on this ?

Thanks in advance guys.

Jason

cabinetman

Depending on the wood, I might use 150x - 180x prior to stain. I don't sand the stained application. I might sand with 220x -280x between coats if it's that rough. Before last coat, 320x is reasonable.

Leo G

After I stain I never sand until a top coat has been applied. Then I use 320 grit or higher to sand the clearcoats.

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jerry

Poplar is a chameleon wood and can usually be colored to appear as another kind of wood,but not with Minwax penetrating stain (which also contains dye). It is usually better to color poplar with dye.

Jerry
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Shamus

I would use something like a Minwax Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner before I stained. Follow directions and apply after you've done your final sanding. This will give you a better chance of an even stain over the entire surface. Minimizing the light and dark splotches on the wood surface. You might try a test piece first.

I never sand after staining unless it's with 4-O steel wool to knock down the hair fibers in the wood raised from the pre-stain/stain process. And then only if I'm not using a water-based top coat. (Rust spots).

Don't rush the sanding process. The surface you stain will be the one your going to end up seeing when your done. Always sand in the direction of the grain, never cross grain.

Just my Ol 2¢

sweep

Thanks everyone for your comments/suggestions. Much appreciated.