Wood Conditioner - Yes or No?

1 – YES! Pine is tough to stain evenly without it. I have worked with pine a lot. Using a conditioner helps immensiely to keep the color even. The difference is night and day

2 – You have the entire internet :). If you need it quick and have to get it locally, you can go with the minwax. I have used it, it’s not bad.

I prefer the Charles Neil’s Pre-Color Conditioner – Blotch Control, but you are not going to find that at home depot.

-- http://www.etsy.com/shop/KandJWoodCrafts

Stay away fom the MWax crap. Use dewaxed sellac (Zinsser Seal Coat). Cures quickly, and you can use it on all projects as a sealer.
I have not used Neil’s product, but I’ve heard great things about it.
Bill

-- bill@magraphics.us

Bill, why do you recommend staying away from the Minwax stuff? I have used it on pine with pretty good results. You have to be careful when applying it and keep the wood saturated (like with Danish oil). Some parts will dry really fast and require a little more. Since I got the Charles Neil stuff, the Minwax has been sitting on the shelf

-- http://www.etsy.com/shop/KandJWoodCrafts

It depends on what condition the wood’s condition was in.

-- Backer boards, stop blocks, build oversized, and never buy a hand plane--

General Finishes also makes a Pre-stain conditioner that I have heard and seen great results from. It really helps even out the finish. Available at Woodcraft and on line.

-- Behind the Bark is a lot of Heartwood----Charles, Centennial, CO

Look into Charles Neil’s Pre Stain Conditioner. Watch his video on you tube to find out why this is the best product. I would not use anything else. Thank me later ;~)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfCYMdrP8rM
Good luck!
John

Pine needs conditioner and Charles Neil’s blotch control is #1 , for the most part I steer clear of Minwax products too.

-- W James Brokenbourgh Custom furniture maker http://artisticwoodstudio.com/

When staining pine I always use a conditioner. I use Zinser’s Seal Coat mentioned above but thin it with at least equal parts of alcohol. For cherry I thin it with three parts alcohol to one part Seal Coat. This eliminates the blotching in cherry.

-- Roger M, Aiken, SC

Where can I get this Charles Neil Pre Stain Conditioner?
I’m located in Southern, Ontario and can’t seem to find a definite place to get it.

Thanks again for all the great info.

-- Brian - www.dnrapparel.ca

I purchased it directly from his website: http://shop.charlesneilwoodworking.com/Finishing-Products_c_11.html
Follow his easy instructions and you should have no issues!
Good Luck,
John