General Water-Based Dye Stain

[Good77696e]

I using this to stain maple plywood and I'm finding to be a bit blotchy. Should I be using a conditioner first? If so what conditioner is recommended?

 

[tiralie]

I using this to stain maple plywood and I'm finding to be a bit blotchy. Should I be using a conditioner first? If so what conditioner is recommended?

Yes, if you don't like the blotches you should use a prestain conditioner.
Depending on how much of the grain you want to see, different conditioners will give you  different results.  You can try a 50/50 mix of 1lb dewaxed shellac and denatured alcohol. This will decrease the absorption of the dye into the maple and you may have to use a darker stain of apply several coats to get the desired color.

Others have used and like Charles Neil's Pre-Color Conditioner - Blotch Control but I have not.

Target EM4000 clear stain base is extremely effective prestain conditioner.  You can apply it with a brush and wipe off. I have found this to be the best conditioner I have ever used (on pine) and allowed the grain to show through.

I have also found that if I use a plant mister and spray the surface with distilled water let it dry and then lightly sand, I will get less blotching.

Testing is the only way to make sure you will be happy with the end result.

Good luck.
Tim

 

[Good77696e]

Thanks Tim!

 

[tjbnwi]

Seal Coat, if you're not experience at blending your own spit coat.

Tom

 

[tiralie]

Seal Coat, if you're not experience at blending your own spit coat.

Tom

LOL, thanks, I forget...