Finishing Maple Furniture

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Q:  I recently purchased a new dining set made from solid maple wood.  It is unfinished, and I would like to finish it with a nice rich maple color however I was told that maple turns blotchy when you stain it.  What can I do to keep this from happening?

A:  I am assuming that you do not have the ability to spray apply any coating to the wood surface.  If this is the case, then we will assume that you can apply a coating by brush. 

Take care in selecting a good durable high quality brush-able coating such as polyurethane, in the desired sheen or gloss level such as semi gloss or satin.

I do recommend using a stain prior to applying a clear coat finish to the wood.  The stain color will tend to "richen" up as time goes by due to the slight yellowing of the clear coat as it ages.

Maple is a very light colored wood almost white, and does not lend to dark stain colors, also it is a very hard wood and does not accept stain color evenly.  It is for this reason the proper selection of stain is very critical.  There are several stains available on the market that will help to reduce the blotchiness from occurring.  Visit your local home improvement center or wood coatings supplier, ask about geld type stains.

These stains are thick and pasty and will tend to penetrate the wood surface more evenly and better control the color.  You can also use a clear stain base type product, and pre-stain the wood to help control the penetration of the color stain.  By pre-staining, you must remember that the wood may not stain up as dark as it would if you applied the stain directly to the wood surface.

Prepare the wood by sanding it with a fine grit sand paper such as 220, 240, or 280 grit.  The finer grit will smooth up the wood surface, and help to even out the staining/coloring process.  Using the geld type stains for this kind of application will stain the wood more evenly, and will not be as messy as a liquid stain.

Select a desirable light shade of color such as a "Honey Maple", follow the manufactures recommendations and apply the stain.  Allow the stain sufficient time to dry, usually over night.  Brush apply one thin coat of clear coating (cut 50% with the recommended thinner for extra penetration), as a sealer on the wood surface, be certain to coat the edges well.  After over night dry, lightly sand the sealer coat with 320 fine grit sandpaper and remove any and all sanding dust.  Apply a final coat of clear polyurethane.

When preparing any surface for the application of paints or coatings, be certain to take precautions to protect against breathing in any air borne dust particles or debris that may be created by the prep work.

Please be aware that coatings and solvents are chemicals and therefore you should always pay attention to proper handling procedures and be prepared to wear protective clothing, such as respirators, gloves, coveralls, etc.  For further information on the health and safety requirements for the coatings and solvents you wish to use we strongly advised you to contact your local coating supplier.  If possible, go the extra step and look for this information on the website of the product vendor.

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