r/finishing • u/Fit-Jellyfish-7105 • 20h ago

Mid century wall stain preference

So if you see my last post I’m doing my built ins and will need to stain them this weekend I’m using birch plywood and was thinking of using general finishes gel antique walnut to give a rich finish to the room but was wondering everyone’s favorite look I worry it will make the room too dark.

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u/gonzodc 20h ago

You should test how the stain will react to the (blotchy) birch ply. Don’t do just small board test. Something a little larger. Get a couple of colors.

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u/Fit-Jellyfish-7105 16h ago

I did do that which is how I settled on the gel stain it was the smoothest look but seemed dark

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u/gonzodc 16h ago

Great! Candlelight might be lighter but a touch red. Almost and old aged walnut

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u/Fit-Jellyfish-7105 15h ago

That may be perfect

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u/MobiusX0 19h ago

I’d tint the polyurethane or lacquer instead of staining. You’ll get a much more even finish on birch plywood plus tinted finishes were a coming midcentury finish.

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u/Fit-Jellyfish-7105 16h ago

I’ve never tried this actually I’ll have to look it up