For this wood, you will need a gel stain or a wipe-on stain. With a clean rag, wipe down the entire piece of poplar. If you’re not a fan of the results for this project, try different products, such as dyes and stains, the next time you purchase poplar wood for a project. To ensure that your work area has adequate ventilation, open windows or doors and use fans to circulate the air. Keep these items away from extreme heat or any source of sparks. The mask can filter out some fumes, and it also keeps you from inhaling tiny particles of wood. The Effects of Different Stains on Poplar Wood Step 1: PreStain. The darker the color, the harder the wood and the better the stain will hold. And the qualities that make poplar ideal for painting make it an iffy selection if you’re planning to use wood stain. After the conditioner has been applied, wipe off any excess, and allow it to set into the poplar … Keep in mind that gel stains are flammable. While this step takes more time, it can also yield a better-finished product in the end. Instead, search for dark yellow poplar, gray poplar, or poplar with a greenish hue. Many people find poplar a tempting wood to use for cabinets, furniture, and more. You might think that staining wood is fairly straightforward and that it is essentially the same process no matter what type of lumber you are dealing with. Poplar is a difficult wood to stain, especially to a dark color, as it is very prone to blotching. If you’re unsure which disposal process is preferred, call your local facility that handles hazardous waste and ask them about best practices. Take an old towel or rag and rub the wood conditioner into the surface. A vaulted poplar ceiling can look very attractive and beachy in a home. When you cut the pieces of poplar wood to the right size, you may end up with … A coal of oil-based satin polyurethane would be a good idea as well, especially if you’re creating a table of some kind where drinks might rest. All information is provided "AS IS." You can also bring scraps of poplar wood into a local paint or stain shop and work with the staff there to get a custom stain color that works perfectly with the wood you bought and the end result you want to see. Allow them to dry thoroughly before placing them in the trash, or seal them in a metal bucket full of cold water and take them to a hazardous waste facility near your home. home improvement and repair website. You may encounter various names for this type of tree or wood, including tulip tree, yellow tulipwood, tulip poplar, whitewood, or canoe wood. Since you have already selectively treated the blotch-prone areas, it’s less likely that those spots will become more dramatic and ruin the overall look. Type above and press Enter to search. 1995-2018 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. As you finish cleaning the wood and allow it to dry, you’ll notice that certain areas stay wet longer than others. Not many woods soak up stain and paint like poplar. View our Privacy Policy here. From shop ThingsToDust2. Minwax Pickled Oak. In one test, the final result using the Minwax pre-stain was a dramatic two-toned effect, which might be pleasing to some users and problematic for others. As you are sanding, be sure to work with the grain. Poplar can be blotchy or spotty when stained; therefore, you have to use this to prepare the wood. Next, take a towel or good-quality paintbrush and evenly apply the stain in the direction of the wood grain. In this guide, we’re going to discuss a few qualities of poplar that can affect how well it does with staining. This can sometimes be tough to determine, but if you look closely, you will see lines in the piece of wood you are treating. 5 out of 5 stars (33) 33 reviews $ 45.99. When you cut the pieces of poplar wood to the right size, you may end up with some spare pieces and scraps. Poplar is a good wood for dark stains because it is not really wood. The hardness of wood is measured in pound-feet (lb-ft). I first applied a coat of Minwax Pre-Stain wood conditioner to all the pieces, except the first block. In furniture, it might be part of the frame of a dresser, while a more attractive wood is used for the outer portions of the piece. Don’t choose the paler or whiter versions of poplar, you should avoid the Minwax penetrating stain for poplar projects, you should avoid the harsher types of soap designed to cut grease. Poplar heartwood displays a greenish-brown tint. Here’s how to do it. However, in other cases, the end result is a blotchy mess streaked with dark gray or purple. Then, apply a second coat of wood conditioner in the same manner. to this site, and use it for non-commercial use subject to our terms of use. Staining poplar to match maple is an inexact art. Swipe this mixture over the poplar wood you plan to use, saturating the wood thoroughly. Also wear the respirator while sanding to avoid breathing in wood particles. You can purchase a small container of the pre-stain wood conditioner and try it out on a couple of your poplar samples. In this case, the sandpaper roughens up the surface of the poplar, preparing its surface to accept the product you’re going to apply. Some people choose poplar because it looks pretty good in its raw, natural state. The best stain for poplar wood is not a penetrating stain or one that needs to soak in deeply. Don’t choose the paler or whiter versions of poplar, because those types are even softer and will yield a much blotchier look if you are trying to stain them. 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