Jeff

That's actually pretty remarkable looking. It looks like a much older finish in great condition. I like the finish with just stain as well. I didn't care for pic 4 . But the varnish changed everything!

Mike

It looks bad in person, thinking now to just forget the fade stuff, stain it and be done with it.

Does this mean you have to remove the veneer or just sand out what you've done so far?.....hmm that's probably a dumb question.

I read on a woodworking forum where a guy said he never stained - if he wanted the look of a certain wood he would use that wood, and just finish it. It's a clean philosophy that appealed to me and helped me decide to leave the Clubbies alone - no birch veneer.

What do you think? How about mahogany veneer and just a gloss or satin finish? I know you ordered the birch veneer, mahogany would be more $$ into the kit, but just curious...

Mitch, that pic is an old shell with some scrap veneer tacked on it. I will stay with the birch as I have all the pieces rough cut. It will turn out good, eventually.

I'm absolutely certain it will. :) What I was doing was, I was basing your staining abilities on mine, which are not good lol.

It's awesome you were able to test the look on scrap shell/veneer. Knowledge gained, nothing lost...

Mitch

I'm with Mike, I think number 2 (just stain) finish was the best looking. I really like the DUCO look of the dark stained edges, but the simple stain and overcoat looks richer/killer.

John

Yep #2 looks very good and #5 is really nice too Jeff. Like a aged burst finish almost which is really cool. I like that idea.

Jeff,

I obviously do not know what that Duco finish looks like in person but I will tell you that I think that would look gogeous with hardware and hoops. I think it looks great.

Thanks guys. I hope to try another method today. Pic 2 is nice, it is only stain, no finish yet. Having fun trying the fade or burst as you call it but will likely end up with a solid color.

I agree with Glenn the burst looks cool but so does #2