Phil and Debbie Koontz wrote:

>  For some reason, I felt compelled to stain it, and it turned an ugly, 
> blotchy green.  I sanded it off as best as I could and gave it a 
> linseed oil and beewax finish.  The drawer fronts still have signs of 
> the stain, in streaks and hazy looking patches.  Nobody seems to 
> care--at least it's real wood, well made and functional.  Pine has its 
> limitations, but they are also it's character.  You need to expect 
> dents and blotches, and allow for thicker joints and structural 
> members.  That doesn't bother me.
>
> Umm, so I guess my pitch is to just go for a natural color and don't 
> worry about it.
>
> PK
> "Sometimes you eat the bear, and sometimes the bear eats you."
>
>
Thinking about blotchy green stain:

Short Version:

Boy did I turn some wood green....

Long Version:

While working on the world's second ugliest saw till (don't want to 
think that I have peaked yet..),  I decided to 'create' a batch of green 
wood stain.   Some dark green Ritz fabric dye was added to a pint of 
warm water and, instant green dye.  This was way too easy, so I added 
some more of the dye. (Loop until is it way to dark, then add a pinch more.)

After applying the first coat of dye, it looked a little light. (See 
also the repetitive loop of adding dye to water.) Another couple of 
coats followed.    Returning after a mug of coffee, I was amazed to see 
that I had discovered a recipe for faux Wolmanizing! (a truly ugly shade 
of green on pressure treated lumber, Jeff).   Worse yet, when I touched 
the scabby fourth hand, faux Wolmanized plywood, green rubbed off on my 
hand.  In an effort to correct this misadventure, and retain all of the 
wonderful green-ness,  I slopped on a couple coats of BLO and turps.  So 
much for the faux Wolmanizing, it now looks somewhere between week old 
sea weed and inky blots on a shirt pocket.  At least now, less of the 
green is transferred when you touch the wood.  (I am on a roll here...)

The only rational solution was to protect the "creation" with some 
shellac.  Rooting through the paint locker turned up a can of just about 
expired Amber Bullseye Shellac: Perfect for this project.  As always, 
shellac performed wonders - The inky blackness has receded a bit, now it 
just looks like the finish on '70s vintage barrel furniture.  I can not 
wait to see what a couple of more coats of shellac will do for this 
fabulous finish.

I will save the best for when pictures of the world's second ugliest saw 
till  are posted on Galoot Image Central in a couple of days.

Tim

Even the Leprechauns are wearing mittens tonight in nippy NJ.

p.s. - The plywood began as a shop project by a younger brother in High 
School. 20 years later it was trimmed and became shelving under one of 
my Dad's work benches. Next it served as a ramp for moving motorcycles 
and snow blowers into the back of a pickup truck.  If the Smithsonian 
does not grab the saw till for posterity, I  wonder what will happen to 
the plywood next?  :)

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