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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Perth, WA
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    0

    Default Veneer finishing - darken the color?

    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]

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Nov 2003
    Location
    Canberra
    Posts
    46

    Default

    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

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Perth, WA
    Posts
    0

    Default

    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/
    Last edited by tktran; 28th January 2004 at 05:18 AM.

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