Working with Arbutus wood

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Working with Arbutus wood

by Jim Bergot
(Qualicum Beach BC)

I was lucky enough to inherit a slab of Arbutus wood which was 8'x 17" x 2" thick. I had now planed it to about 1 3/4" and am making a coffee table out of it.

My question is when I tried staining it slightly darker it appeared to be somewhat blotchy. Is there a way to avoid this problem and still darken the finish. I plan on using a low gloss varathane to finish the top for protection. Any suggestions you could give would be appreciated.

Thank you.

Jim Bergot
Qualicum Beach
bergotjb@shaw.ca

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Working with Arbutus wood

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Sep 17, 2010
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Arbitus Wood finishing
by: Arbutus Ron

Hi Jim!

Well that's a good question. I have never tried to stain Arbutus wood so have no direct experience doing it. I prefer the natural colouring that is highlighted by an oil based wood finish. It may be the complex grain and changing textures that makes it appear blotchy.

The wood will naturally darken slowly with time if you just use a varathane finish. I use polymerized Tung oil, the kind that has been heated, to give a hard and durable finish on some of my sculptures.

Perhaps other readers will have more experience with staining that they could share here.

Let me know how you make out.

Ron

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Working with Arbutus wood

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Working with Arbutus wood