Staining end grain

[Superbunny]

Hi guys
I will in the near future need to stain a table top made from Qld Maple and I got to thinking the end grain will take up more stain than the rest of the top and what I can do about this to get a more evan stain colour overall, any help please I don't do staining of my work but I need to this time. I'm going to use tea as a natural stain.

SB

[RufflyRustic]

Staining endgrain is always a pain for this very reason, but sanding the endgrain with a higher grit can help.

You may find a few tests on some scrap worthwhile to figure out how high you need to sand the end grain. Also, using a weaker solution of tea for the end grain might work as well.

cheers
Wendy

[groeneaj]

I asked myself the same question a little while ago.

Here are some links that might help. I think sealing the end grain may help as well.

How to Finish End Grain — Woodsmith Tips

Staining End Grain

[munruben]

Brush the end grain with a coat or two of diluted Shellac before you stain it, this will lighten the stain considerably but check on a scrap piece of the timber first because it may lighten too much if you do too many coats. One coat may be enough. If the this makes the end grain too light, you can darken it down by applying another coat of the stain.

[joe greiner]

The solution to pollution is dilution.

Weaken the stain for end grain by mixing a neutral (colorless) "stain" by the same manufacturer as the stain you're using for the rest of the work. Like here: https://www.woodworkforums.com/f10/mailbox-post-41341/

Cheers,
Joe

[Superbunny]

Thanks guys, it looks like I've some experimentation to do over the next couple of weeks. Some good ideas and links.

SB