Veneer finishing - darken the color?

[tktran]

I've just purchased some raw veneer (2400 x 1200 x 0.6 mm) and am wondering how to finish them for a satin finish (slightly glossed)

The veneer is Tasmanian Myrtle, and mine is a pinkish color, like the myrtle bowl shown here, except unpolished.

http://www.piecesofwood.com/shop/in...p?shop=1&cat=15

But how would I deepen the color? I'd like the 'deep red myrtle' that Tasmanian Myrtle is known for. For people outside Australia it is similar to a red/brown Mahogany finish. A color closer to the myrtle veneers shown below:

The second picture show at the bottom of this page:
http://yumahardwoods.homestead.com/pinkmyrtle.html

Or even a nicer red tone:
http://www.tastimber.tas.gov.au/species/myrtle_01.asp

I've investigated stains but since the colors are shown on pine, which is a very white wood, I do not know how the stain will look on the pink myrtle.

A friend suggested a good varnish that deepens the substrate with each additional coat. Except it was years ago when he used itm and no longer remembers what type/brand? it was.

Is this a good solution? Something that will gradually deepen the veneer with each coat. Hopefully this will allow me to gradually depeen it until I find jus the right the red/brown tone.

Any thoughts much appreciated.

Sorry I will borrow a digital camera and take a photo of the veneer tomorrow.

[Edit: changed links to pictures that more closely resemble the original and desired colors]

[s_m]

Just a thought, but I'd go for one of the "craftsman" range of FW stains - as they are very thin you will get good penetration and can keep adding until you get a good colour.

What colour to start with is a VERY good question. Most of the samples I have seen of the FW craftsman have been on Tas Oak (not pine) which at least doesn't have the yellowish tinge - but I imagine the stains will darken a dark timber a lot more than a light timber like Tas Oak. Have you called any of the major stain manufacturers to ask them for advice?

Steph

[tktran]

Thanks for your help s_m!

After much consideration I tested Wattyl One-Step (Stain & Varnish in one, Dark Mahogany color) on an offcut. However I've decided to not go ahead with this stain.

The main reason is that I don't think I'll be able to achieve a consistent color with a brush, and I do not have any spray equipment. (How much does something like this cost) Also, I'd like to try one of the U-beaut stuff, but which to choose?

Is there some other way to achieve a uniform and glossed (satin or high gloss) finish. In fact I don't mind if the color is unchanged- the main requirement is the protect the veneer and give it a bit of a shine.

Here is the picture of my own veneered cabinets. The small offcut on the top right has two coats of the One-Step. I must admit that the photos look a lot better than in real-life- the camera flash brightens up the pink.

There are some more pictures here:
http://members.iinet.net.au/~magius/