so many choices

The decision paralysis that’s snuck up on me on some of these projects has come up before. Even with a small project like the media stand I want to make damn sure I wrap things up by putting the right finish on.

This is getting ridiculous

Through trial and error, I’ve accumulated a decent spectrum of finishes to choose from. Like for the patio table, I had some left over walnut stain but wanted something a bit different for something going outside. Thinking the same thing, the wife talked me into trying a natural stain to go with the red mahogany I had picked up. They were both terrible. I admit I felt a small twinge of validation when the wife admitted they both looked awful on the scrap I test-stained, and she said I was free to pick something else on my own. Although to her credit, I ended up using the natural on the sandbox and it made it look like I’d used much nicer wood than I actually did. A point for using stain in general.

What to do, what to do...

Eventually I found one I liked, and now have a range of stains around to try to use on other projects. Natural went on the sandbox, the darker mahogany on the lounge chairs. Each of those was something new that worked, but that’s the thing about these projects…you can think all you want but you never really know until the rag hits the board. Today for the stand I went back to the reliability of the walnut stain I’ve used on most everything else, paired with painting the legs white to make lighten things up a bit. I think a good seal coat on this will wrap things up.

A good stain can make all the difference, which is why I worry about it so much!

This wasn’t a sponsored post, and it’s a little out of left field considering what I’ve been working on lately. But I’m hoping to get the baseboards and ledge shelf in soon and I’ll be picking a stain again, so I’ve been thinking about it a lot lately. Every time I head into the shop I see another project or idea I could write about. This one just felt like it could help put the finishing touches on the basement.

Purchase list:

Minwax walnut stain (console, already had it)
Minwax gunstock stain (patio table, bench)
Minwax red mahogany stain (lounge chairs, shelf, possibly)
Minwax natural stain (sandbox)
Minwax Helmsman clear gloss spar urethane (everything)
Glidden semi-gloss pure white (molding)