NASASteve Posted December 8, 2015 Report Share Posted December 8, 2015 Hi All - Next up in my project queue is to make a new dining table to replace the IKEA-special that's there now. The table will measure almost 4'x8'. So, the question: The wife is asking looking at those pottery barn inspired dark espresso colors. So, we've settled on General Finishes Java gel stain. I'm debating what I should construct the table out of. Obviously, the grain and figure of the wood will be largely hidden under the dark color. Given that, what would you all recommend? I was thinking of hard maple for durability but it might be tough to get such a dark color in a light wood like that. Doesn't make any sense to use something expensive like walnut or mahogany. Any recommendations? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerryMcK Posted December 8, 2015 Report Share Posted December 8, 2015 Try sapele. Nice grain and easy to work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brendon_t Posted December 8, 2015 Report Share Posted December 8, 2015 Depending on where you live, sapele may be as expensive as walnut.I have never used the java stains but whatever you decide on, test it out first. I've made the mistake of committing to a finish just to get it on a project and go ooh crap. . Test on the material you intend to use = no surprises. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted December 8, 2015 Report Share Posted December 8, 2015 Ash would look good with a dark finish. You can see the grain patterns. What you want is not a stain , use dye. If you can spray use an alcohol or acetone based dye. Water based dyes can be hard to get an even consistent color especially over a large area. Practice before you try to finish a table that size. Pay special attention to careful consistent sanding to get an even finish, any flaw will show .Soft Maple will work too. I haven't tried to dye hard maple that dark. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NASASteve Posted December 8, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 8, 2015 Thanks all! Some great comments. I just purchased some 6/4 sapele for a different project. It's great, but it costs an arm and a leg here in the northeast.I think Ash might be the way to go based on the suggestions here. Poplar will be way too soft. I think I'll employ a finishing schedule as Mike and Steve suggested. I'll spray a dye coat, followed by a top coat. I was planning on spraying Target2000 as my topcoat. Not sure if that will be compatible over an alcohol based dye coat. (If I spray shellac, it'll bring the dye back up, right? Other advice here is appreciated.) Either way, after a top coat, I'll use the Java gel stain, followed by spraying the Target2000 waterborne alkyd after plenty of time to dry. Any other comments or criticisms are welcome. I worry I'll start to outsmart myself soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dknapp34 Posted December 8, 2015 Report Share Posted December 8, 2015 Would your wife consider a dark wood with no stain, like walnut? Personal preference here, but I would much prefer a naturally dark wood to a stained or dyed wood any day. Walnut can be expensive though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cochese Posted December 8, 2015 Report Share Posted December 8, 2015 I used that exact stain on soft maple for our dining room stuff. It can be hard to get a consistent look. Obviously, second project went better than the first one.I'll second the notion of using woods that are more naturally in color to the final outcome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted December 9, 2015 Report Share Posted December 9, 2015 Target finishes should do well over the dye. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stobes21 Posted December 12, 2015 Report Share Posted December 12, 2015 Around me red oak is cheap, reasonably hard for a tabletop, and stains and finishes well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N00b-in-training Posted December 12, 2015 Report Share Posted December 12, 2015 Ash would look good with a dark finish. You can see the grain patterns. What you want is not a stain , use dye. If you can spray use an alcohol or acetone based dye. Water based dyes can be hard to get an even consistent color especially over a large area. Practice before you try to finish a table that size. Pay special attention to careful consistent sanding to get an even finish, any flaw will show .Soft Maple will work too. I haven't tried to dye hard maple that dark. Agree completely. Here's a project I did recently for my wife w the same requirements. It's Ash and then dyed with SolarLux Jet Black. For a table you'll want to use 2 coats of pore filler unless you want to feel the grain. I did the pore filler after dye but mixed the dye w the pore filler. I used all Behlen's products. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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