Post #493601 by AlohaStation on Fri, Nov 13, 2009 7:39 AM

Do not mix stain and polyurethane - it just doesn't work the way shellac does (they sell that crap for people looking for a short cut - it worked great on my closet doors but not on my carvings). Stain is a tough nut to crack - ALWAYS do a test (on the same wood you are carving) if you are unsure how it will come out. Its easier to throw away a scrap and doesn't require hours of sanding if you don't like it. BTW - I love carving found wood!