Hackberry Stock Refinish - 1 way anyhow

[skwchock]

This is very helpful. Thank you.

[Smal]

I wonder if you took a spray bottle of water after lightly sanding a hackberry and sprayed water on it just enough to open the pores of the wood up if you dried it with a rag and tried to apply a stain to the open pores if that would aid in the wood taking the stain better I do not have a hackberry or id try it.

[69Shelby]

I also wondered if there were a way to open the wood pores.

During my experience, I finish sanding with 220 grit but since have wondered if I should have final sanded with 150 grit. Leaving the pores a bit more open.

I have "over sanded" other wood projects and made the wood so fine/smooth that finishes did not take to the wood easily.

I have never experienced the results that I have with Hackberry.

I have had great luck with water based or alcohol based stains on figured wood bringing out the grain, which is the way I expected the Hackberry to respond. Maybe if I had stopped at the 150 grit level - my results "wood" have been better.....pun intended.

Thanks to all for the comments and feedback. I hope this saves some of you headaches.

[Jdhagen]

Nice looking stock, I'v e been looking for a method of doing mine and think I'll give it a try.