Birch butcher block of death

The problem here is absorption rate differences. It sometimes can be alleviated or at least evened out some by putting a sealer of some sort on prior to a coloring agent. Shellac works well for this, even glue can help. Try a coat of shellac, then sand it with 220 before applying your color. Personally, I think you should be using a dye rather than stain. First though I have to ask – will this be a utility piece? If so, you shouldn’t be coloring it all as it’ll look horrible after it gets some use. If not – the difference between dye and stain is that the pigment particles of a dye are microscopic and tend to soak in more evenly than a stain, which has large pigment particles and tends to accentuate grain more. Dye gives a more even color. Dyes can be mixed with water or alcohol and are pretty easy to use once you have some practice. You should apply a seal coat of shellac over top your dye before applying topcoats.

-- Just another woodworker

Blotch control info. If GF conditioner is wb its ok, if oil based not good. Same with the Varathane – blog explains it. Birch does blotch a significant amount. You will have to test for the # of conditioner coats required (or amount of solids content in a self mixed conditioner) to get to a color variation you are satisfied with. For the sample with a WB conditioner, you either didn’t let the conditioner saturate the surface or it has low solids content and more than one coat is needed.

Dyes are much better to work with vs pigment stains, especially if you dont want the pores a lot darker than the rest. Any good blotch control method will reduce the color intensity of the wood. Use toner coats (I use 1/2-3/4# shellac mixed with transtint dye) to get more color intensity and blend lighter areas as desired. Getting intense color is not a 1-step process. It has to be built up in layers. Toning coats need to be sprayed. Its difficult to hide wiping or brush marks, and gets more difficult the darker/more intense the toner gets.

Color variation or blotching is in the eye of the beholder – some like more than others – there isn’t a right or wrong look, it’s up to you, you are the one to please.

Use Charles Neil’s blotch control, I haven’t heard anything bad about it yet and he is a helpful fellow.

Maybe some drops of dye in the shellac?

-- Allen, Colorado (Instagram @bobasaurus_woodworking)

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone! I think I found my special sauce in applying the prestain conditioner then hitting it with a light 220 sanding with the grain. The winner of the stain battle was the watco Danish oil dark walnut. I definitely see what you mean with color variation and botching being the eye of the beholder.

I’ll post better pictures of the finished project. I had already turned off my work light when I decided to take a picture last night. It’s going to be an 8’ long computer desk.

Any pics of the finished product? Looking at doing the same.

I see you’re also in Des Moines. Get the birch butcher block from menards? Actually just went and looked at it today.

Trying to decide between it and the Karlby.

Tijama,

I did get the butcher block from Menards. I was also thinking about the Karlby but didn’t like that it was only 1/8th inch of actual wood over particleboard. This is unfortunately the only picture I got of the desk before I covered it with stuff. I really like the way it turned out but if I had to do it over again I’d spend the little bit more and get oak or walnut. Lumber liquidators also has all sorts of different wood tops available. Hope this helps.