Blackwater projects - Tiki Carving

B BlackWater Tiki Socialite Pasadena, CA Joined: Apr 29, 2023 Posts: 170	B BlackWater Posted posted on Sat, May 24, 2025 3:25 PM I wanted a light to medium finish on my tiki. I bought three cans of Minwax for color samples. They seemed similar enough that I felt a bit wasteful buying all three, but I'll use them up eventually. Well, when applied to palm wood they look completely different, even if treating with pre-stain first. Sierra red becomes RED, gunstock is ORANGE, red chestnut is BROWN: I found a stain called Cutek. It's an Australian stain designed for decks, but it protects as well as color. Better still, my hardware store had free samples. So I loaded up a bunch of them and they are much more reasonable when applied to palm: You buy a can of the main sealant (over $100!) and then mix in a tube of color tint (around $20.) Not cheap but I like the look so far. Once I put on a second coat I'll post my progress.

I wanted a light to medium finish on my tiki. I bought three cans of Minwax for color samples. They seemed similar enough that I felt a bit wasteful buying all three, but I'll use them up eventually.

Well, when applied to palm wood they look completely different, even if treating with pre-stain first. Sierra red becomes RED, gunstock is ORANGE, red chestnut is BROWN:

palm_stain_minwax

I found a stain called Cutek. It's an Australian stain designed for decks, but it protects as well as color. Better still, my hardware store had free samples. So I loaded up a bunch of them and they are much more reasonable when applied to palm:

palm_stain_cutek

You buy a can of the main sealant (over $100!) and then mix in a tube of color tint (around $20.) Not cheap but I like the look so far. Once I put on a second coat I'll post my progress.

Post #815732 by BlackWater on Sat, May 24, 2025 3:25 PM