Staining Oak's

deck hand

I purchased a new Oak handrail and Oak toe board I have white Balusters.
New Newels Oak also
I did some staining on the rail, newel and toe boards Each had a different outcome Some more lighter then others, I even used the Mini wood conditioner
My question is To sand everything again and re stain everything with a darker stain again Will this take on a new stain ???

My intentions Is to go for a dark oak look. My Newels look red'ish
The rails look light maple. the toe board a little darker then the rails ?
I tried to buy my wood material to look like the same type of oak but this proved to be impossible. Our nation has become a great importer of woods from around the world. the newels, when I got home a tag read, were from China, " I do know we ship our wood to china to manufacture these things " the oak boards from North Carolina. I have no Idea where My new Step Treads are from ? I haven't touched these yet !

Thanks
Deck hand

cdaniels

No two pieces of any type of wood will take stain the same, but there shouldn't be that much difference.Oak is a very hard wood and stain doesn't penetrate the way it will on softer materials.Are you wiping the stain?What type of stain are you using?The stain you have already applied has sealed the oak somewhat but you might try another coat on the lighter pieces.

__________________
Charlie Daniels painting and repair

joecaption

OK which oak are you working with?
Sure you did not get a mix of red and white oak? Big differance in outcome.
A preconditioner never should have been used on oak, only soft woods.

Using a Gel stain helps to give a nice even stain with less mess if done right.

deck hand

Well the Newels looked much like the Rails but a small difference in color
The toe boards were a bit more red looking reg 1"x4"x8'

I'm applying the stain using a 000 steel wool the way I was told ages ago because the wool will not retain all the color like a cloth or brush. I never had this much difference before I let the stain set about 8 min. ( Timer on )

I used Sherwin Williams Wood Classics Oak. oil base. $ 16.00 quart
Thanks
Deck hand

deck hand

Hi Joe.
No this is not white oak Perhaps a lighter reg red oak hand rail.
I used the pre conditioner as a trial on a smaller board I had not stained after all this mess to see if it made a difference { none}
I have never used gel stain before, and got good results ?
I think Come Monday I'm going to try sanding and using a very dark stain on the boards.
I was just wondering if anyone else came into this situation and was able to make a correction after the fact . I know to buy wood from the same place but dealing with three different items oh My!!

Thanks Joe
Deck hand

joecaption

No way would I be applying stain with steel wool!!!
I brush it on and wipe with a lint free cloth.
Somethings very wrong of your having trouble using Gel stain.
Smoothest, even finsh you can get.

deck hand

Ok I'll try Gel stain next. what have I got to lose
Deck hand

joecaption

You may want to go on the Min Wax webste or some tips.
Bet there's no mention of using steel wool when staining.