staining

[bigred7469]

I'm making a medal holder for my wife and I stained the one board dark walnut and the other pieace natural.  The problem I have had in the past is the dark stain bleeding into the lighter colored stain.  What are some tips to avoid this.  The only one I can thing of is to clear coat both pieces then glue them to gether.  As always thanks for the help and pointers.  Looking forward to ya'lls responses.

Red

[GrayBeard]

I have done this in the past and after the stain dries completely I just spray a coat of Spray Lacquer on both pieces, allow to dry and gently 'rough' up the area to be glued. Apply Alene's Tacky Glue and clamp the pieces until the glue dries.
Then proceed with several light coats of the lacquer sanding with a piece of brown paper bag between coats.

Works fine for me but surely not the only way!

~~~GB~~~

[BilltheDiver]

you might also give gel stains a try.  Since they are not so liquid, they don't run as much, or absorb as deeply into the wood.  In other words they tend to stay put more.  I was accustomed to oil based liquid stains, but have found I like the gel stains better for many applications.

[Russ C]

I agree with GB, a lite coat of Spray Lacquer on both pieces, allow to dry and gently 'rough' up the area to be glued works for me also.