Staining?

[hawkeye10]

I want to stain this cross. Is there a easy way to do it? There are a lot of tight places to get the stain into. Of coarse I could leave it natural. What do you think?

 

[Rob Roy]

I want to stain this cross. Is there a easy way to do it? There are a lot of tight places to get the stain into. Of coarse I could leave it natural. What do you think?

 

A lovely piece of work I must say Don. I would leave as is. But that's just my humble opinion.

Rob Roy.

[125 CSL]

like Rob said, looks great.

However, Steve Good has an option.

 

Edited January 24, 2017 by 125 CSL

[Scrolling Steve]

Very nice work, Don !

[Rob]

Great cross.  Personally I would leave it as is but it is your decision.

 

Rob

[Bill WIlson]

The easiest way to stain fretwork is to dip it.  You don't necessarily have to completely submerge the piece, just pour some stain in a pan and use a brush to flood the surface and work into the frets.  Once you're happy with the coverage, let the excess drip off, then place the piece on an old rag/towel/t-shirt and start wiping the excess off.  Use compressed air to blow it out of the frets, if it has accumulated.  Keep wiping the surface as the stain bleeds out of the frets, so you don't get spots.  Once done, you can strain the leftovers and put it back in the can.

 

Another method I've used with boiled linseed oil, is to use one of those trigger spray bottles, (think Windex bottle).  Put the stain in the bottle and spray it on.  Still need to wipe it down and clear out the frets, but if the piece is too big to efficiently dip, this will work as well.  Just be prepared to make somewhat of a mess.

[ike]

I have used the steve Good's methoe. It really looks good on fer.

IKE

[WayneMahler]

I like it natural. I did add some colored felt to the bottom of the ones I cut. Staining fret work  I use a small model paint brush you can work the stain into the little corners. Time consuming but effect. Tries the flooding thing seems to waste a lot of stain and a much bigger mess. 

[dgman]

Personally, I don't like stains. I use quality hardwoods. If I want something dark, I'll use Walnut or Sapele. For medium colors I use Mahogany or oak. For light colors I'll use maple. I know these woods are much more expensive, that's what my customers expect.

I always soak the piece in my 50/50 mix of boiled linseed oil and mineral spirits. Then when dry a coat or two of semi gloss spray lacquer.

The oil mix brings out the natural color and grain of the wood, which is why I don't use poplar because it will have a green tint to it.

[rjweb]

That is beautiful you did a great job cutting it, where did you get the pattern, RJ

[Dave Monk]

Very nice job! My customers like my oak stained so that's what I usually do. I like to use Minwax stain with a 1" stain brush. dave

[stu]

Looks good I would just spray with clear coat

[Sam777]

A lovely piece of work I must say Don. I would leave as is. But that's just my humble opinion.

Rob Roy.

Great job you did.

I would stay with the natural look and just some clear coating to protect the wood.

Sam 

[lawson56]

I have used the dip method.But I would leave it as is.It looks Fantastic.  

[hawkeye10]

That is beautiful you did a great job cutting it, where did you get the pattern, RJ

It is a Steve Good pattern. If you don't know about his patterns just ask and we will help. If you do have his patterns type in "cross99" if you want to make it.

[Sycamore67]

I do staining and finishing with a zip lock freezer bag. It makes it easy to shake it up for coverage and then put excess back in container.

 

To put it back, I make a small cut on a corner off and then squeeze it back.

[amazingkevin]

I want to stain this cross. Is there a easy way to do it? There are a lot of tight places to get the stain into. Of coarse I could leave it natural. What do you think?

 

 

 

A lovely piece of work I must say Don. I would leave as is. But that's just my humble opinion.

Rob Roy.

Glad the doc's letting you cut again!