stain for baltic birch ply?

[slappomatt]

I am fairly new to this type of wood. always used mdf in the past.
i just finished a pair of omega grande 6 clones for a freind and would like to stain them in something easy to use that is light stain or clear. any recomendations? tia!

[BobEllis]

use a pre stain conditioner to minimize splotching (minwax and others make it). Birch tends to absorb stain unevenly. this is more of a problem with darker stains. Aslo seal well before applying your finish.

Use lots of good sandpaper - working up to at least 220 grit before putting anything on the wood. Tack rag/vacuum between grits.

Lots of choices for topcoats. What level of gloss are you after? I presume that you will be brushing or wiping on a finish. I prefer a traditional nitrocellulose laquer, probably because that's what I've used most of. It's easier to rub out than poly, although poly is probably more durable.

[leadbelly]

Originally posted by slappomatt
i just finished a pair of omega grande 6 clones for a freind and would like to stain them in something easy to use that is light stain or clear. any recomendations? tia!

This is what baltic birch ply looks like after several coats of Minwax Natural:



Just make sure to use sanding sealer 1st and coat with something protective afterwards. I just used Minwax sanding sealer, I think they call it "Conditioner", and some Varathane clear for final coats.

[slappomatt]

well i finish sanded with 240. although i have some 360 i could use. they are by no means works of art, just wanted to do something to finish them. would kinda of like a little stain but not too dark. think the tack rag is a good idea, there is still dust in the cracks.

[pinkmouse]

You could try a liquid wax finish. It comes in a variety of colours, and is very easy to apply, you just need a few coats and some elbow grease to get a great long lasting finish.

[joensd]

i just finished a pair of omega grande 6 clones

That´s the one with the FE167E!?
Do you have the measures of the original speaker?
or what´s the size of your clones?

Do you think ply is superior to MDF with this especial speaker?

thanks a heap
greets

[joensd]

ups forgot:
I´m not sure what baltic exactly means but with birch ply I´ve used tung/danish oil which leaves it looking very clear and natural.
If you want something more durable and glossy I also like water-based parquet lacquer (Clou) which doesn´t darken the wood.

[Timn8ter]

Minwax makes a variety of finishes, natural or color. Use the conditioner first then pick your color. Top it off with a gloss clear coat and you're golden. Good stuff.

[sesquialtera]

I used the minwax wood condintioner prior to staining with a light oak oil based stain. The result was somewhat blotchy and dissapointing. Any suggestions for remedies? Would going to a dark stain work? Thanks!

[Nanook]

Baltic birch ply is a relatively dense, but "voidless" plywood, often 19 layers or plys per inch. Some people may refer to hardwood ply w/birch veneer as "birchply".

I recently made a pair of open baffles with hardwood ply (birch veneer). I have done quite a bit of internet research on this topic.

Someplace I recall that the site author suggested using a damp rag to moisten the wood and make it more likely to accept a water based stain. Some other sites maintain that birch is easy to get a good finish on. One thing I am going to try is a water based urethane with some pigmant added. A sort of "colour wash". If you want darker, just apply additional coats, making sure to scuff the previous coat, and always use a tack rag., Those who suggested a sanding sealer or such are right on the money as far as prestaining or colouring birch.

But alas my poor OBs will probably never get a finish, as JE's OBs aren't finished either (I simply don't want to shut them down or change speakers long enough to do the required finishing:-(

good luck