Finishing lauan/luan doors?

Max wrote:

> I recently had some basement remodeling done and the guys put in
> a couple cheapo luan (sp) doors from Home Depot.
>
> They are unfinished, and not particularly attractive. Very light in
> color. Grain is rough mahogany-esque, so I'd like to stain and
> finish them. I'm shooting for something reddish along the lines of
> mahogany (I know I won't turn luan into mahogany!).
>
> Have any of you worked with this stuff? Only test I've done so far
> is try some standard Waterlox. Didn't do anything, I need color.
> So I'm looking into stains or maybe the colored poly route.
>
> Any experience, ideas, comments, suggestions, would be most
> appreciated.

Not doors - and luan would appear to be a generic term that can describe
almost anything these days - but a while back I prototyped a couple of
aircraft instrument panels with cheap-o ($7/sheet) 1/4" luan plywood
from Menards.

In both cases I used 5 coats of an amberish Minwax poly, sanding to 400
grit between coats. One panel came out medium brown, and the other ended
up sort of a medium-dark tan. I don't have any pix handy but can make
some when I'm next in the shop.

I also used that same poly on some (really cheap!) 3/4" luan from which
I built a TS outfeed table. There're photos of that before and after
finishing at the bottom of the page at the link below.

--
Morris Dovey
DeSoto Solar
DeSoto, Iowa USA
http://www.iedu.com/DeSoto/Projects/OutfeedTable/

A while back I asked about ways to make Home Depot cheapo
lauan doors look better. Thanks all who responded.

I was hoping to make the wood more mahogany-esque. While
not a silk purse from a sow's ear, I'm quite pleased with the
results:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sale_shots/sets/72157608705249312/

I would call the average between the two close-ups the actual
result, but as you can see it really depends on the light.

Here's what I did:

1. Sanded with a random sanding sponge I had laying about,
I'm guessing the grit was 150 or so. Seriously! The doors
were reasonably sanded already. Removed dust with poly
microfiber towel.

2. Sealed with a thin (but not thinned) coat of Waterlox.

-I used Waterlox because in Flexner's book he recommended it
on mahogany. It did nothing for the blah color of the lauan,
or the grain. Experimenting with putting stain over top of
it looked good, so Waterlox went from being the finish to
being the sealer.

-Note: Waterlox is strong smelling for a LONG time. I left the
doors out in the garage for a couple weeks. Other than the
odor, it's a great product.

3. Applied two coats of Minwax red mahogany oil stain per
directions on can -- apply decent amount across grain, wipe
off with grain.

4. Topped off with two coats General Finishes' Gel Topcoat, a
wipe-on varnish/urethane. I used this mainly because I had
it on hand. I like it because it can be applied by hand, is low
odor, and is a satin finish.

Not a finishing schedule for something you need quickly, but
very easy to do and worth the wait.


Regards,

Max

"Max" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> All,
>
> I recently had some basement remodeling done and the guys put in
> a couple cheapo luan (sp) doors from Home Depot.
>
> They are unfinished, and not particulary attractive. Very light in
> color. Grain is rough mahogany-esque, so I'd like to stain and
> finish them. I'm shooting for something reddish along the lines of
> mahogany (I know I won't turn lauan into mahogany!).
>
> Have any of you worked with this stuff? Only test I've done so far
> is try some standard Waterlox. Didn't do anything, I need color.
> So I'm looking into stains or maybe the colored poly route.
>
> Any experience, ideas, comments, suggestions, would be most
> appreciated.
>
>
>
> Thanks,
>
>
> Max
I first met this stuff in the 1950s when it was called "Philipine Mahagony".
Once upon a time, my house (built about 1968) was full of it.
I still have a few doors to replace.

If I remember correctly, most people used a clear varnish to finish it.

Jim

Max wrote:
...
> a couple cheapo luan (sp) doors from Home Depot.
>
> They are unfinished, and not particulary attractive. Very light in
> color. Grain is rough mahogany-esque, so I'd like to stain and
> finish them. I'm shooting for something reddish along the lines of
> mahogany (I know I won't turn lauan into mahogany!).
>
> Have any of you worked with this stuff? Only test I've done so far
> is try some standard Waterlox. Didn't do anything, I need color.
> So I'm looking into stains or maybe the colored poly route.
...
"Luan" is, as Morris indicates, a catch-all like "whitewood".

In general, it stains and finishes pretty well; ie, blotching and such
are minimal problems. Be sure to sand uniformly as they're often not
even texture as is and any scratches will show.

I'd run as fast as possible away from the colored poly's -- they're an
abomination to work with, at least those I've tried.

I'd recommend an oil stain followed by whatever level of gloss you wish
varnish. It's very open-grained so they _will_ soak it up, so if you
don't want them very dark, start lighter color(s) and be somewhat
sparing on application until you get a handle on where they're going to
come out. In the end, it actually can be reasonably attractive.

--

> http://www.flickr.com/photos/sale_shots/sets/72157608705249312/
>
>
> Max
>

While I appreciate your effort and think you did a great job, I just
don't think rotary cut plywood ever looks good, not matter the species.

In this day and age, we're often left with the formidable task of
"polishing a turd" and in your case, you did a good job.

Be sure to wash up. :-)


--

-MIKE-

"Playing is not something I do at night, it's my function in life"
--Elvin Jones (1927-2004)
--
http://mikedrums.com
[email protected]
---remove "DOT" ^^^^ to reply

<[email protected]> wrote

> I was hoping to make the wood more mahogany-esque. While
> not a silk purse from a sow's ear, I'm quite pleased with the
> results:

Damn fine job of putting lipstick on a pig of a product ... :)

I like it!

--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 10/22/08
KarlC@ (the obvious)