Staining Fixed, check out the photos of our sides.

[benzu]

My wife's first job with this teardrop project is staining the wood sides. Currently she is staining 1/4'' red oak with a waterbase stain. As you can see in the picture some of the wood is holding color better then other parts which inturn is making her very stressed and making the wood look like *#@!. Is there anything that we can do to fix this? Can I sand the darker spots with some 200 grit and start over? I need help.



Thanks,

Mike

[doug hodder]

Mike...I take a pretty damp rag and wipe down the heavier stain, rinse it off in a bucket of water and reuse the rag. You'll be surprised how much comes off. You can also thin the dye to "doctor" up any areas that don't fit the look you want. Blend it in with a wet rag. I usually apply the dye and then start mopping while it's still wet to get it even. Don't do it in the direct sunlight. It'll dry much quicker and make it more difficult. Just what I've experienced using an aniline dye. You want to get the excess off the wood. Doug

[benzu]

Thanks Doug, I'll relay that to my wife.

By the way I can't wait to show of our design. It routed great, I put a .005'' smaller on one of the pieces and they fit long a glove. I can't wait to start the epoxy. We will probably start that tomorrow. I also routed the 3/4'' insulation to fit in the already routed frame, those too fit just perfect. It's so nice to have the ability to use a computer and cnc router.

Mike

[benzu]

Well she tried the water, but I think it already dried. Remember how dry it is out here in Colorado. She's getting the technique down better as she goes and is making the bad peice look better. The overall look is a bit darker then planned but I do think it's better. I'll take another picture when she puts the final coat on the stain.

Do we need to sand the wood prior to laying the first coat of epoxy?



Mike

[doug hodder]

thin out some of the stain and do an overall wipe with a damp rag on the entire piece as a last coat, can use a roller also, covers more ground equally in a hurry. Get it completely wet, as that's how it's going to look when you put the epoxy on. I'd also check for dryness prior to putting any epoxy on it. Depending on just how wet you get it, it may need more dry time. I'd just roll on the first coat of epoxy, but if the fuzz is really bad, use some really fine grit paper, don't cut into the wood, just get the fuzz. It's thick enough that any of the fuzzies raised with the dying process will be taken care of on the first coat. If not, sand the epoxy. Any serious sanding on what you have done now, may cause a color change and you will fill the pores with the dust. Just my ideas on it. others may vary. doug

PS, you did do a sample piece for color check didn't you?

[benzu]

Fixed stain piece, you can still see some of the spot, but it's much better.




Becky staining




One side done with stain.



close up



Long shot



This is where we got the inspiration for the sides.

[Mary K]

Totaly AWESOME!!!

What a great Idea!!!! Good Job!!


Mk

[Gerdo]

That is going to look so cool.

[Sam I am]

That looks so cool! It will be a real attention getter on the road and at the campground!

[neal b]

I LIKE IT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

neal b

[peggyearlchris]

That looks total awesome. What a beautiful job. Peg

[Esteban]

It looks beautiful and very original. Your trailer will be an eye pleaser.

[Miriam C.]

Amazing design. I love it.

[jmtk]

That is way cool, Mike!
I can hardly wait to see a picture of what the finished trailer will look like with the *real* Canyonlands in the background! Keep up the great work and hope to meet up with you and the family in the desert someday! Canyonlands is one of our all-time favorites, too!

Jeanette

[martha24]

Your sides are going to look totally cool!!
I know Minwax makes prestain conditioners for soft woods like pine that you apply before you stain to help get a more even stain. They do help. I'm not sure if they are used for water base stains or not, but the cans would say. Worth looking into.
Martha