Finishing Q

[ironhat]

I bought some Varathane Light Cherry strain to match the kitchen cabs for this project and the color is good but after two coats I'm jus tnot getting the color depth that I want. Is there and add-in to hte stain to help with this or do I need a different mfg? It's hard to find anything around here but Minwax as it is. Ohe yea, as I get into the finishing stages when is it a good idea to bring the project into the heated basement from the 32-45* shop? After staining, before staining, before topcoat, or what. I'm probably going to be using a wipe-on poly and build it up.
Well, back to work,
Chiz

[JR]

Chiz, when you say "color depth", do you mean intensity of the color, or the apparent ability to see "into" the finish?

JR

[ironhat]

Well, JR, it's like the color isn't thoroughly absorbed into the wood. Boy, all I can think of i, is 'thin'. It's almost like the color absorbs very well into some of the cherry and not so well into others. The cabinets are actually Jatoba, from what the cabinet maker described as South American cherry so I don't know if the Jatoba takes all stains better than American cherry or if this is a characteristic of this particular stain. Do paint specialty stores like Duron or Sherman-Williams carry tints for this purpose?
Thanks for the response,
Chiz

[JR]

Ok, that makes sense. Of course from this point forward I've exceeded my expertise!

The first step would be to try a sanding sealer. Minwax has one and it's available at HD. This should tend to even out the stain absorption.

I know there are some other suggestions available from forum members, but I haven't tried them, so I'll shut my trap.

JR

[ironhat]

Thanks for the interest, JR. I used a sealer (Minwax) first. Just too thin. I'll keep searching.
Later,
Chiz