Stain

jjessicaa

I'm new to this, I was just wondering if anyone knows how to get a deep cherry finish on smooth plywood. I've tried getting it before but it always comes out light. Maybe I'm not using the right brand. Does anyone have any suggestions?

joecaption

Did you use a wood conditioner before the stain?
Did you trying applying more then one coat?

jjessicaa

No I didn't try the conditioner, will that help? Yes I did try more than one coat but I didn't let it dry thoroughly between coats, I'm not sure if that makes a difference.

Brushjockey

I have bad news for you. Plywood will not look like cherry. ( unless you paid huge $ for a cherry ply..)
As far as taking a stain- joe said part of it- it will take very blotchy because most plys are not a quality wood, so you have to even out the porosity ( the conditioner slightly seals the wood to do this) .
But then the wood will not absorb as much stain either- so tinted top coats with stain in the varnish will help.
good luck!

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jjessicaa

Thanks, I will try that. I am going for a deep reddish brown color but I'm curious to see whatever comes from this. Thanks for your help.

joecaption

Other options would be to order some real cherry veneered plywood or just buy the veneer and apply it to the less expencive plywood yourself with contact cement.
Pine is just never going to look much like cherry.

sdsester

You might try a quality gel stain to get the color. It has some opacity to it. Faux finishing with a wood graining tool might work too.

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