sticky stain problem

Stained a neck the other day and either got carried away or the humidity was too much. How can I fix the sticky stain? The box/neck are already assembled. Apply heat? Mineral spirits?? Neck is poplar, and I sanded very smooth. It didn't want to take stain very well, and I wanted it dark so I may have overdone it. Help.

0 members like this

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Wichita Sam on September 11, 2009 at 1:35am

Wait if you can... a few days of drying should dry it out.... if not you can try a hair dry, but go very very slowly or you might find your box in pieces.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Diane in Chicago on September 11, 2009 at 1:40am

And after that the 0000000000 (or however many 0's you've got) steel wool will take off most of the surface gunk and leave you some color. I've done that and then let it bake in the sun for a bit more.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Kurtisthall on September 11, 2009 at 1:47am

Thanks. Will try it. This one is my second CBG and its pretty cool, except for that fact.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Jkevn on September 11, 2009 at 1:53am

A lesson for next time...stain is not paint. What's left IN the wood after you wipe it off is what you got. If you want it darker on a piece that's not taking it very well...you need a darker stain. That's easy to say if you have a shop wall full of various stain choices, I don't. I have found that staining poplar before I do my final sanding (allowing it to soak deeper) and then putting on another coat of stain when I get it sanded the way I want it tends to give me a deeper color.

As far as this one goes you've already gotten the best advice, WAIT. It will dry, but when it does, alot of that mess must come off (or it will flake off later) the steel wool will be your best bet. Be sure it's the super-duper-ultra-fine and be patient with it or it'll look like Fido's butt...IF you can take the neck back off, it may be a good idea. Good luck!