Evening out stain

[buster]

I am trying to even out the stain on a rusticated pipe with not much luck. Anyone have any tips.

Thanks
Mike

[eder]

Gently application of Abrasive Buffs for Dremel
I use those when I want to keep the briar bark and
remove only that thin black layer from its top.
Cheers,
eder

• • •
Eder Mathias
http://mrhydepipes.com

[KurtHuhn]

Got a picture of what you're talking about?

I haven't rusticated a pipe in years, ever since getting my sandblasting setup, but when I stain a sandblasted pipes, I never worry about even staining. Some areas of the briar will absorb more stain than others, that's just the nature of the wood. And in fact, it can add visual interest in a lot of cases.

[buster]

I think that might be it Kurt. I've tried alcohol and shellac and neither of those helped. I'ts just that some spots seem more than just a little bit darker than the rest of the pipe they are quite a bit darker.

[KurtHuhn]

What stain are you using?

[buster]

I am using brown mahogany TransTint dye cut with denatured alcohol.

[KurtHuhn]

Is it possible that the overall mix/cut is very light? In that case, the more absorbent parts of the wood will absorb more stain and the contrast will be pronounced. A very light stain can be used to accentuate natural variegation in smooth, as well as rusticated finishes. Laying on more of a light stain won't necessarily reduce the contrast either.

[ToddJohnson]

Use darker stain. Otherwise you'll essentially get contrast staining as the more porous parts of the wood suck up more of the stain than the less porous ones.

TJ

[buster]

Next time I'll make the stain darker. It's hard to mix in small batches the ratio is 1 part dye to 32 parts water or alcohol. I just kind of eyeballed it.