So many plaques

[friscomike]

Howdy,

Recently I made 21 plaques for awards at a Model Railroad Train Show (TWMRC.org). The plaques started as poplar, dyed, stained, glazed, and varnished. The logo was made from a wooden carved master, then cast in resin. Charles Neil conditioner was used to even the colors on the wood. They look like cherry in person.

I used my Shopsmith 510 with Incra Mitersled 5000 to cut the plaques to size.

Finished award plaque

Plaque.jpg (114.83 KiB) Viewed 1409 times

Work in process

Plaques.jpg (77.7 KiB) Viewed 1409 times

Gold Star Award Logo

Gold Star Logo.jpg (105.61 KiB) Viewed 1409 times

Have fun,
mike

[algale]

That's poplar????? The few times I have tried finishing poplar I have had no success. What's the secret sauce (brands/colors) that you used??

[friscomike]

That's poplar????? The few times I have tried finishing poplar I have had no success. What's the secret sauce (brands/colors) that you used??

Howdy,

I saw this online somewhere and tried it. I used Minwax wipe on poly satin for the finish:

1. Hit the raw wood with water and sand to remove the fuzz.
2. Apply Charles Neil Precolor Conditioner for blotching.
2. Dye the wood with either General Finishes Vintage Cherry (for brown tone) or Cinnamon (for red tone) I used Cherry.
3. Then stain with General Finishes water-based Black Cherry
4. Then Seal the stain with a coat of wipe on poly or other finish.
5. Then go back over glazing with the Black Cherry Stain.
6. Finish with wipe on poly or your choice finish.

I tried using shellac for a sealer, but did not like the results. I really like the CN precolor conditinoer.

Have fun,
mike