Staining Honour Bords

[Old Sparkie]

I am sure it has been asked before but what is the best stain followed by a clear sealant to make Pine or Hevea panels look like Mahogany and hide the finger joints i.e., Honour Boards. I have used Wattyl Color Wood but in the tropics it dries to fast even with a10% terps as recommended to obtain an even finish. I love the woodwork but finishers and me don’t seem to get on.

[China]

Pine can be problematic to stain, good luck in hiding finger joints, if oil based stains do not work for you try water base, I have made probably 200 Honour boards over the years and with all due respect I would not use pine, for a low cost piece Meranti would be a far better choice, as for a clear and very durable clear coat I am big an of Rustins Plastic Coating.

[Old Sparkie]

Thinks China,
I will check out Meranti availability in Darwin also water base sounds good to me as clear W/B worked well on Mahogony bench top where no stain is required. Use to be able to get blank's without F J so will widen my search.