Foolproof finishing tip needed

rdewinter · Post by **rdewinter** » Sat Jun 06, 2009 2:06 am

I need a foolproof finishing tip. I have sanded some kitchen cutting boards and added a maple strip as a finger pull. The cutting board itself will be coated with Butcher block oil. I want to apply a dark stain to the maple finger pulls. See attached photo.
I need a foolproof method to stain the finger pull and not have the stain bleed onto the cutting board surface. I could use blue painters tape and carefully tape off the cutting board, but I’m afraid that the stain might run or bleed under the tape.
Does someone have a finishing suggestion that will allow me to stain the finger pulls and not get stain on the cutting board surface?
Thanks in advance
Bob
San Diego

charlese · Post by **charlese** » Sat Jun 06, 2009 2:12 am

Hi, Bob! The only foolproof way that I can think of is to stain the pull prior to attaching it to the board.

rdewinter · Post by **rdewinter** » Sat Jun 06, 2009 2:45 am

I thought about that but some sanding was involved to get the glued on finger pull and the cutting board even. Couldn't do that if it was stained.

Bob
San Diego

mbcabinetmaker · Post by **mbcabinetmaker** » Sat Jun 06, 2009 7:33 am

Bob

The only thing I can come up with is a small V groove where the pull and board come together and the grain changes. This would allow the stain a stopping point. You would still have to tape it and be very careful. When staining position the board with the pull on the bottom so that the stain would not have a tendency to run or bleed.

Good luck

Mark

rdewinter · Post by **rdewinter** » Sat Jun 06, 2009 10:29 am

Mark,
The V groove is an excellent idea. I will use the groove as a fall back safety net in case I get any stain on the cutting surface. Very creative, Thank you.
Bob
San Diego

curiousgeorge · Post by **curiousgeorge** » Sat Jun 06, 2009 12:49 pm

rdewinter wrote:Mark,
The V groove is an excellent idea. I will use the groove as a fall back safety net in case I get any stain on the cutting surface. Very creative, Thank you.
Bob
San Diego

IMHO, I would have a problem with putting any type of groove on a cutting board. This would provide a place for food particles to become trapped and if not cleaned properly it would be a germ factory.

Maybe using a gel stain with the board taped off? The gel would be less likely to run, especially if you have already put the oil on the boards. You would have to be sure to not get the oil on the pulls or the stain won't take.

charlese · Post by **charlese** » Sat Jun 06, 2009 2:27 pm

Can't you affix the finger holds with double sided tape,- do your sanding - remove the pulls and then stain them?

charlese · Post by **charlese** » Sat Jun 06, 2009 2:35 pm

Can't you affix the finger holds with double sided tape,- do your sanding - remove the pulls and then stain them?

Seems you are going to need some screws besides glue to hold the pulls on the ends of the boards.. like the construction of breadboard ends, with a slotted hole ot two. You will be dealing with the expansion/contraction of the cutting boards.

This way you can screw the ends in place - do your sanding - then remove and stain.

rdewinter · Post by **rdewinter** » Sat Jun 06, 2009 11:50 pm

Chuck
I have already attached the finger pulls using #20 biscuits and yellow glue. I don't really want to separate them now.

Bob