Stain Question

[Cagey]

FYI: The pre-stain wood conditioner didn't help much with the way alder takes in stain unevenly. It slowed it down at the end grain, but by no means did it equalize the "thirstiness" of the wood; end grain drank it in, and the front and back just laughed at the thought of absorbing any color! I started to freak, but then I got the idea to thin the failing and blotching stain already applied with more of the conditioner. It worked. I dunno if it drove the end grain color into the wood and out of sight, or floated it off into the cloth I was so generously applying it with. Either way, crisis averted... except where do I go from here? Without a sprayer, I feel like my options are narrowing right down to clear coat and buff...

Guess I got some research to do.

Sounds like the "conditioner" you're using is either too thin to start with, or was applied too thin. End grain is notoriously thirsty, but it definitely doesn't "hide" anything. Usually the problem is it gets too dark. There's a school of thought out there that says that was the genesis of the "burst" finish - to hide end grain intensity. But, sealing it is supposed to prevent that. Perhaps rather than "conditioner", you should be using sanding sealer.

 

[Johnny]

I sanded back to 320 grit after taking most of the stain off at 220.  After some personal debate, I decided to apply the pre-stain wood conditioner.  After putting it on, the stain that did not get fully sanded off seemed to be enhanced.  I was worried that I might have messed up...again.  I went ahead and applied the stain again and I'm reasonably happy with the result.  The parts that didn't take the stain the first time look good now.  There are some spots on the sides where the stain didn't take well, but I'm willing to live with those.

Thanks to everyone for the help!