I screwed up. I spent the last couple of weeks working on a project, only to apply a stain that looks absolutely hideous. I should have tested it first on a piece of scrap wood, but I didn't. What are my options (besides paint) at this point? I'm thinking some kind of stain/poly combination that would go on a little thicker to cover up this mess? It's an an 8x10 wooden camera, made of oak. There are a few areas with very close tolerances, so I would have to take care not to build those areas up too much, or sand them down too far. I really don't want to rebuild this. I'm hoping someone has a good solution.


Picture added -


Thanks

This message has been edited. Last edited by: 4x5,

What type of stain did you use? If it is Oil based you might try a solvent wash. Some water based stains will reduce with a alcohol wash, don't use rubbing alcohol though it has oil type lubricants in it.

I think I would try a darker colored stain of the same type over the one you used. Try it on a piece of scrap thats stained with the hideous color stuff of the type you used on the project and see if you like it. Use scrap of the type you built the camera with for the test. If you use a stain varnish combo you may end up compounding the problem.

quote:

Originally posted by arfmel:
If you use a stain varnish combo you may end up compounding the problem.

Is that because a stain/varnish would be harder to remove if I don't like it?

Take some scraps and make them the same hideous outcome, then try the proposed solutions on those scraps, because now - even more than before - the scraps are crucial since how the new finish works with the one you hate is even more unpredictable...

However, once you do all that you can surely find something you find satisfactory, but there's no real shortcut, especially now that it's been stained already.

Sand off (if not too deep), cover up (paint or something much darker) or rebuilt.
Only options.

A picture of the bad area would help with potential solutions. Lots of things can be rescued.

Kleen-Strip paint stripper will remove stain, without sanding. I've used it many times to refinish surplus rifle stocks, and not damage stock cartouches. It can be worked into corners and details with a toothbrush.

Several applications and rinses may be in order, but it can be done.

Before you strip it, depending on what "ugly" is, it might be rescuable, how about a pic?

I would think a soak in acetone would lift most of the stain out. If you have glued miters though, I doubt they would fare well in the soak.

quote:

If you have glued miters though, I doubt they would fare well in the soak.

Definitely good to know! Lots of miters in this project!

So you've got some uneven areas, and some spots that look like glue sealed the wood, what are your other concerns?

What method did you use to apply the stain, and is it a stain, a "gel stain," etc.

Before I did anything else, I'd wipe the areas that were trouble down with mineral spirits, rinse with water and let dry.

Did you condition the oak at all?

What type of glue did you use?

quote:

Originally posted by 46and2:
Take some scraps and make them the same hideous outcome, then try the proposed solutions on those scraps, because now - even more than before - the scraps are crucial since how the new finish works with the one you hate is even more unpredictable...

However, once you do all that you can surely find something you find satisfactory, but there's no real shortcut, especially now that it's been stained already.

I’d be tempted to ebonize it with India ink, but I certainly would want to test it. Never tried it on top of an existing stain.

Yeah. I don't think staining over what you have there is gonna help at all. That may be a job for paint.

And you might "distress/age" it.

Typically I dislike "relic'd" things, but in some cases it can look good.

The exceptions are if this is a "show piece" vs. a work horse.

quote:

Originally posted by arcwelder76:
So you've got some uneven areas, and some spots that look like glue sealed the wood, what are your other concerns?

What method did you use to apply the stain, and is it a stain, a "gel stain," etc.

Before I did anything else, I'd wipe the areas that were trouble down with mineral spirits, rinse with water and let dry.

Did you condition the oak at all?

What type of glue did you use?

I used a minwax stain, and I didn't condition the wood. The glue is Titebond II

Depending on the color you were going for, you can 'glaze them with a gel stain. The key is to know what your goal is and to experiment on scraps. This kind of thing is right in my ballpark. I live close to you. If you want, I'd be happy to help. You can email me at trg21reticle at yahoo.

Not sure what the problem is. It looks like stained oak.
You can strip it,re-apply a lighter color, or try any of
the other recommendations listed so far, but that grain is
still gonna be there.
The Mowhawk wood finishing products people have something for everything.
Might give them a try.

Minwax stain has a "finish" product included. Used to be Tung Oil, now I don't know. Trying to stain over it without removing the shit will not turn out well.

brush on a gel stain. do not rub it off. It will conceal what is underneath and the brush strokes will simulate wood grain. Test on scrap first.
Alternatively spray with minwax polyshades. stain and clear in one. Light mist coats to get the look you are wanting.

Steel wool. I like 4x. See how it rubs out the finish on a piece of similarly stained scrap. Should lighten finish, but not a lot. Easy. Easy to try. No significant wood removal.

couple days and you'll get used to it. looks ok to me now.