I've Got Some Problems With Poplar Steps That I Stained

Dorman Painting

My builder is building a fine home for himself and decides to save himself some money and put in poplar steps instead of oak steps. The poplar wood simply doesn't take stain as well, it really doesn't look good.

Here's the problem, some of the steps look as if they've gotten stains showing through the stain. It looks as if darkish circles appear, maybe someone spilled water or something. I'm not sure, but I'll palm sand the steps and see if I can get the stains to dull down a little and then restain.

Any ideas on how to handle this situation? I can't believe this guy put poplar wood in for treads, oak should be the order of the day IMO. Poplar just doesn't stain that well and is more for paint grade. Give me some ideas on this. Thanks.

In_Mexifornia

Poplar is a paint grade wood. There is variation in the wood coloring. Some parts are darker, sometimes green, while other parts are lighter like birch. That's is why it's always used a paint grade hardwood. You're right, should've spent a couple more bucks and bought oak.

ProWallGuy

Did you apply a sanding sealer before the stain?

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paint_booger

Dorman: "Here's the problem, some of the steps look as if they've gotten stains showing through the stain. It looks as if darkish circles appear, maybe someone spilled water or something. I'm not sure, but I'll palm sand the steps and see if I can get the stains to dull down a little and then restain."

Been there ... done that. For h2o stains ... bleach!

PressurePros

Those spots are probably tannin bleed.

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Joewho

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Dorman Painting

Bleach? How exactly do you do that? Rag it on or what?

I went up there today and palm sanded the steps like a madman, it certainly seemed to help. But IMO, the steps just aren't what I'm used to. I like the consistancy of oak steps, you don't get the color variation. This guy is a very picky builder and I'm sure it's all going to be my fault. I told him poplar doesn't stain well and his response was "I was trying to save a few bucks". Oh well, you get what you pay for.

THINKPAINTING

What kind of builder picks poplar for finish work like that? He could have used pine to save a few bucks, but how much did he really save? How many steps are there.

slickshift

You are being kind
I would have said "What kind of bonehead picks poplar for finish work like that?"
Seriously, pine would be a better choice to save a few bucks
At least it can take a stain

I've never seen poplar stained that didn't look like butt

Paint it, or replace it

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BigDa

I have done tons of finished steps, install and finish. If this contractor is as "picky" as you say he is, he should have known that poplar was not the way to go. I agree about the condition and bleach should be used, nevertheless I have never seen poplar stained that i would have satisfied with. I have a shaper and the bits to make stair treads, but I never do unless its an exotic wood needed. The reason, I can buy oak treads for around 25 bucks. This guy did not save any money. Does this "picky" contractor realize what 6 months of traffic will do to this softest of the hardwoods--poplar. I know it is considered a hardwood, but paint grade, man! I love working with poplar for paint grade. It planes, cuts, and sands easy, without a lot of wear to your equipment. It is a shame the painter will forever get the blame for this guys ignorance. Next time you can refuse to do this. It's not being a "know-it-all", if you speak from experience. Good Luck, Bro!

Painter James

The "bleach" isn't the "clorox" variety, like in mold remediation. It's Wood Bleach. Follow the directions with the manufacturer, as there are a couple of varieties, but basically after you apply it, you'll have to neutralize it. It works well.

As to staining poplar--I wouldn't have (sorry to say it like that). YOU are the expert, not the builder--I don't care how many homes he's built. He was telling you how to do your trade, and that wasn't wise.

At the very least, maybe a wood conditioner might have helped some, but overall staining poplar is a bad idea.

Better results would be to use a NGR (non-grain-raising) dye, shot with an HVLP, but even that would not come out as well as paint for poplar. A good quality SPAR urethane/varnish (marine variety) would have helped too, instead of stain (it darkens the wood some).

Just some thoughts.

Painter James

never heard of that--usually used SS after staining or dyeing--doesn't the stain need to penetrate the wood fibers? usually use SS before lacquer, for texture purposes (ensuring a smooth surface). Seems like sealing the grain wouldn't allow for staining.

Just curious.

eastend

use a thinned down sanding sealer - as a wash coat- to "condition" wood. This will help provide for a more even staining, and minimize the blotching that poplar is famous for.

painterman

you can't make chicken soup out of chicken sh*t Staining that material is a big waste of time. Time spent sanding it is a bigger waste of time. Just paint them or maybe add a faux finish to them to look like oak.... now thats a money saver!!

Teetorbilt

I want to know when Poplar was 'upgraded' to a hardwood. Up until recently it was always considered a softwood.
Want proof? Burn some. The stuff goes so fast that it's only marginal kindling.

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Dorman Painting

Well, I KNEW poplar wasn't stain friendly, but after reading all of the responses I'm ready to whip his ass. It doesn't look good and the rest of the job looks A++. He keeps coming in the house and rubbing his face against the flutes and jambs because I get them so slick, just like glass. He's absolutely nuts over my trim job, I go WAY beyond what most painters do on trim work.

However, my staining experience is certainly not my strong suit, but I've produced some VERY nice stain pieces. Stain work isn't as popular as it used to be and it's skipped a generation of painters to tell you the truth. If he gets on me about this, I'll tell him poplar is FAMOUS for a blotchy finish and the TRIM carpenter should've told him this too!!

jackrabbit5

Just tell him that the blotchyness is part of the inherent beauty of that particular species of wood. Some people don't like to see seams in their wallpaper. If that's the case, then they should steer clear of grasscloth. By the same token, if they don't like the blotchy look, they should go with something other than poplar.

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slickshift

Lol..basically, yeah



Yes it can be deceiving as "hardwood" merely refers to the tree being deciduous
Balsa (what we made gliders out of) is a hardwood...funny but true

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slickshift

(deciduous= loses it's leave in the winter, or dormant in the dry season)

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WNYcarpenter

What species of tree is commonly referred to as poplar (in the building industry) which is actually not a poplar species......?