Staining birch ply shelves

[mangocrazy]

I recently bought (at substantial cost) an 8' x 4' sheet of 18mm birch ply which has been turned into shelves. SWMBO doesn't want the natural look (i.e. plain wood), but instead wants the shelves stained. Her preferred option is black, although other shades may be negotiable. I've never done this before and am more than a bit apprehensive about ruining the look of £120 of shelving. Any hints and tips on staining birch ply and recommendations for make of stain to use (and possibly avoid)?

 

[gaz1]

take them down and fit elsewhere

black is black so fit new ones instead

 

[Newlands]

If you just want black then any paint will be fine. But I assume you still want to see the grain showing through, so..
I’ve always found that ply is a bit tricky to stain - possibly because of the way it’s produced, which seems to make it take up stain in a bit of a patchy way. Especially spirit stain. What I would be tempted to do is to use a water soluble black paint, thinned down a fair bit, and when it’s dry overcoat it with a clear coat to give you the sort of finish you want, ie glossy or satin. So, I’d go for possibly blackboard paint for the first coat, and then a couple of coats of rattle can varnish from Toolstation (I think it’s Rustins, but whatever it is it dries really quickly so you can get several coats on in a day).
But try it on a bit of scrap first whatever you decide on.

 

[jack-daniels]

India Ink?

I've not used it myself, but seen it used on a few woodworking YouTube Channels.

 

[mangocrazy]

Thanks for replies. Shelves have not been fitted yet and any staining etc. will be done before fitting. I also have off cuts to use as a test. I've been looking at Osmo products - link here.
The particular shade I was looking at is granite grey, but might be able to get away with a lighter shade. Does anyone have experience of Osmo products?

 

[voipio]

Ebony woodstain?

The Ultimate Ebony Wood Stain Guide - Top Woodworking Advice

The ebony-wood stain is one of the most traditional colors throughout the countryside for timber barns and cabins. You can easily find this color in people’s kitchens, furniture, planters, and

topwoodworkingadvice.com

 

[mangocrazy]

Ebony woodstain?

The Ultimate Ebony Wood Stain Guide - Top Woodworking Advice

The ebony-wood stain is one of the most traditional colors throughout the countryside for timber barns and cabins. You can easily find this color in people’s kitchens, furniture, planters, and

topwoodworkingadvice.com

Interesting - not sure if I want it quite as dark as that, but I'll certainly check out what ebony stains are available in the UK (most of the ones linked to are US products).

 

[dan.taylor.1]

I've used (I think rustins) Wood dye on ply before and it looked good. You keep the grain but it's black in colour.

 

[Ali]

The end grain especially tends to blotch with any stain if you’re not careful to get it to a very fine finish first. I’m some cases you can remedy this by applying a sanding sealer first, then sand again to remove the sanding sealer from anywhere but the low spots, then apply the stain. Practise on offcuts. Did all my bathroom cabinets like this then followed up with a finishing oil and it’s still looking decent 10 yrs later. Modern Rustins stain is horrible compared to the old stuff, try the Liberon stuff from screwfix.

 

[grim_d]

Osmo polyx and Rubio monocoat both work fine on birch ply.

Been doing a birch ply kitchen recently and went with osmo, but just clear, all in B/BB grade (highest available)...about £180 a sheet, hard to get the decent stuff at the moment as it's all russian birch.

Not much point having used birch ply if you are going to stain it black, or any dark colour really, you want something that will highlight the contrast between the ply's, after all...if it wasn't for the stripy ends then you'd have been just aswell using using a veneered ply or MDF and saved yourself the hilarious price of birch.

 

[mangocrazy]

The end grain especially tends to blotch with any stain if you’re not careful to get it to a very fine finish first. I’m some cases you can remedy this by applying a sanding sealer first, then sand again to remove the sanding sealer from anywhere but the low spots, then apply the stain. Practise on offcuts. Did all my bathroom cabinets like this then followed up with a finishing oil and it’s still looking decent 10 yrs later. Modern Rustins stain is horrible compared to the old stuff, try the Liberon stuff from screwfix.

I'm intending to sand all the shelves with 240 grit and then carefully vacuum afterwards before applying any treatment. I have plenty of offcuts to practice on. Leaning more towards oil/wax products rather than stain at present. Why is the new formulation of stuff always worse than the old (A. Because they can't use the good stuff any more...)

Osmo polyx and Rubio monocoat both work fine on birch ply.

Been doing a birch ply kitchen recently and went with osmo, but just clear, all in B/BB grade (highest available)...about £180 a sheet, hard to get the decent stuff at the moment as it's all russian birch.

Not much point having used birch ply if you are going to stain it black, or any dark colour really, you want something that will highlight the contrast between the ply's, after all...if it wasn't for the stripy ends then you'd have been just aswell using using a veneered ply or MDF and saved yourself the hilarious price of birch.

Definitely inclined to use Osmo, although it's more likely to be the wood wax. This doesn't blank out the grain, but allows the wood’s natural grain and character to remain visible, while adding a colour. I'd be quite happy to go with Osmo clear but SWMBO isn't keen on that and I'm tired of the arguments. Not sure what grade of birch ply I have; it cost £120 a sheet a week ago, but was £89 a sheet before the Russkies invaded Ukraine. It's a decent grade but probably not quite as good as I was using 4 or 5 years ago.

 

[cocker]

I've used chestnuts spirit stains before , (no noticeable blotching)
Then lacquered over it , also waxed over it . Both were alright although the wax has dulled but the laquer still shines .

 

[grim_d]

Definitely inclined to use Osmo, although it's more likely to be the wood wax. This doesn't blank out the grain, but allows the wood’s natural grain and character to remain visible, while adding a colour. I'd be quite happy to go with Osmo clear but SWMBO isn't keen on that and I'm tired of the arguments. Not sure what grade of birch ply I have; it cost £120 a sheet a week ago, but was £89 a sheet before the Russkies invaded Ukraine. It's a decent grade but probably not quite as good as I was using 4 or 5 years ago.

Easiest way to tell grade is inclusion of plugs (or patches) on the face veneer, B/BB and S+/BB are not permitted to have any plugs on the face.

BB/BB is the most common "furniture" grade I'd think and is allowed 3 or so plugs on the face. If you are lucky or fortunate enough to be able to select your sheets then you can sometimes get the plugs right on the edge.

You can often work around the plugs and as such save on material but with kitchen doors then there's not much choice as visible plugs is unacceptable to me.

 

[mangocrazy]

Sounds like I have BB/BB then. It's not a deal breaker for me, as the shelves will (for the most part) have stuff on them.

 

[chunkolini]

Try this
I have used it on all the woodwork in my house. Still looks like wood and a huge choice of colours. Goes on a treat

Protek Wood Stain

Wood Stain from Protek. Exterior and Interior water based wood stain treatments to protect timber in a wide range of colours. Direct from the manufacturer

www.protekwoodstain.co.uk

 

[mangocrazy]

Thanks Chunko, I've ordered a couple of sample pots to try out.