Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Almost FINISHED with Renovations...YAY!!! (Read 1473 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Almost FINISHED with Renovations...YAY!!!

Reply #25 –
We did 26 states in 45 days east.  We were home almost 4 days for Drs. and left again.  Not scheduled back till mid August, that TBD.  We do need another gathering in the DFW area on a lake again.

Dolly is enjoying her summer high and cool with friends here.  We were warm in bed under the down comforter watching the fireworks out the bedroom window on the 4th.

Your only 604 miles away, just saying.
Dave Cobb
Buckhorn Lake Resort The Club, #6202, Kerrville TX
check the map.  I do rent it out when I am traveling!
2001, U320, 36' #5887, in Kerrville, FT Club #17006, (7/23 to present)
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, Summit, white
EX: 98 U295, 36' #5219, (mid door), (4/13-10/23)
EX: 93 U225, 36' (4/11 to 4/13)

Re: Almost FINISHED with Renovations...YAY!!!

Reply #26 –
Dave,

Talking about the nice weather that you are having in Eagle Nest, NM  with us in the mid 90's is almost profanity to our ears. We wish we were there to help ya'll absorb it all in.

Pamela
Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."

Re: Almost FINISHED with Renovations...YAY!!!

Reply #27 –
Pamela & Mike,

You should be ever so proud of both the quality of the work and of the simple fact you completed such a huge job!  My hat is off to you!

Hopefully I am not out of line offering unsolicited advice, but I notice your plans to stain your new maple top.  If you have not stained maple before, experiment on the bottom as maple in my opinion is very difficult to stain and gets more difficult as the stain gets darker.  I'd be happy to share what I know, but in any event, enjoy your renovations, they are awesome! 

2019 Pleasure Way Lexor

Re: Almost FINISHED with Renovations...YAY!!!

Reply #28 –
Sorry, should have directed that last post to  Mike & Joanne.  I really need to pay more attention...
2019 Pleasure Way Lexor

Re: Almost FINISHED with Renovations...YAY!!!

Reply #29 –
Quote from: Rick & Robyn –
Hopefully I am not out of line offering unsolicited advice, but I notice your plans to stain your new maple top.  If you have not stained maple before, experiment on the bottom as maple in my opinion is very difficult to stain and gets more difficult as the stain gets darker.  I'd be happy to share what I know, but in any event, enjoy your renovations, they are awesome!
Rick...we would love any information you have on staining Maple.  We have put stains on maple samples and have different types.  Any advice is welcomed to someone who has not done it before. haha  If you have some tips and tricks we would love to hear them.

Thanks, Joanne & Mike
Mike & Joanne
'99  U320  40' build 5479
'06 Lexus GX470
Club #17378
(former '93 U225 36')

Re: Almost FINISHED with Renovations...YAY!!!

Reply #30 –
Mike & Joanne

We are in the Cincinnati area and have decided to spend the summer here.  Our grandson is 17 months now, fun age to play with and give back to parents.  We also have some long time friends here as we are originally from Cincinnati before we hit the road 8 years ago in August. 

We are going to the Balloon Fest in Albaquerque this October, working with the Escapees Boomers to help balloon crew.  Should be a blast.

Plan on coming west and south for the winter- maybe see you then.

Again, great job on the remodel.
Ted & Karen
2001 U270 36' - sold after 12 years full timing

Re: Almost FINISHED with Renovations...YAY!!!

Reply #31 –
Quote from: Ted & Karen –
Mike & Joanne

We are in the Cincinnati area and have decided to spend the summer here.  Our grandson is 17 months now, fun age to play with and give back to parents.  We also have some long time friends here as we are originally from Cincinnati before we hit the road 8 years ago in August. 

We are going to the Balloon Fest in Albaquerque this October, working with the Escapees Boomers to help balloon crew.  Should be a blast.

Plan on coming west and south for the winter- maybe see you then.
Again, great job on the remodel.

Thanks for the information.  Understand grand babies...have a few myself and love playing and returning. haha

Wish we could go to Albuquerque for the ballon fest but maybe next year.  Planning on retiring in 2016 so will have more time to travel around.  It's on my bucket list. haha  FYI...there is a balloon fest in Plano Texas on September 19th...just saying! haha

Let us know if you come this way would love to see you guys again.  Also would like to see some more people that we have met on the forum and at the gathering that we have been to.  Can't wait to retire so I can move around. LOL

Joanne
Mike & Joanne
'99  U320  40' build 5479
'06 Lexus GX470
Club #17378
(former '93 U225 36')

Re: Almost FINISHED with Renovations...YAY!!!

Reply #32 –
The best place to meet forum people is at Quartzite in January.  Karen said I was like a kid in the candy store because I was so excited every time one of the forum members came in.  Everyone is just as great in person as on the forum, maybe even better.
At 1 point I think there were 23 of us boon docking on BLM land outside Q. 

Retire before that and join us!!

Ted & Karen
2001 U270 36' - sold after 12 years full timing

Re: Almost FINISHED with Renovations...YAY!!!

Reply #33 –
Mike & Joanne,

My experience shows Maple does not take a stain evenly resulting in a "blotchy" finish.  Perhaps you've noticed that in the sampling you've done.  Doesn't bother everyone, but it bothers me so we try to minimize the effect.

The type of stain, grit of sandpaper and whether or not you use a wash coat will impact the degree of blotchiness. 

ML Campbell and Woodright are brands of penetrating stain we find give best results (less blotching).  Pigmented stains such as Minwax should also work well, experiment. 

Preparing the surface with 220 grit sandpaper will fill the pores and help even the stain out a bit.  Using coarser sandpaper opens the pores allowing more stain penetration and creating more distinct blotches. 

Least blotching will result from application of a wash coat before staining (1 part topcoat or sanding sealer to 5-10 parts thinner).  Less thinner yields lighter stain.  Scuff sand the washcoat with 320 grit paper before you wipe on the stain.

Once the stain drys consider applying vinyl sealer to help protect against moisture.  If you are spraying on the topcoat, it's hard to beat post catalyzed finishes (avoid pre-cat).  We don't use any brush on finishes, so if brushing on a topcoat, get the best material your local paint store has to offer.

There's more to know, but the key may be to experiment and perfect the process on the bottom side. 

Anthing I've not explained well or overlooked, please ask. 

Good luck!
2019 Pleasure Way Lexor

Re: Almost FINISHED with Renovations...YAY!!!

Reply #34 –
Quote
.we would love any information you have on staining Maple.  We have put stains on maple samples and have different types.  Any advice is welcomed to someone who has not done it before. haha  If you have some tips and tricks we would love to hear them.

You might consider a dye rather than a stain for maple. Should be no problem with blotching.

Try this website for more info:

Quality Wood Finishing Supplies since 1994 - Homestead Finishing Products

Re: Almost FINISHED with Renovations...YAY!!!

Reply #35 –
Beautiful work!
David and Carolyn Osborn
1995 U320C SE 40' Build 4726 Feb 1995
FMCA 147762
Motorcade 17186

Re: Almost FINISHED with Renovations...YAY!!!

Reply #36 –
Rick and Robyn - thanks for the tips on staining...  I had no idea of all the options and techniques.  I will definitely experiment on the bottom of the table first.

Mike
Mike & Joanne
'99  U320  40' build 5479
'06 Lexus GX470
Club #17378
(former '93 U225 36')

Re: Almost FINISHED with Renovations...YAY!!!

Reply #37 –
Quote from: Bob McGee –
You might consider a dye rather than a stain for maple. Should be no problem with blotching.

Try this website for more info:

Quality Wood Finishing Supplies since 1994 - Homestead Finishing Products
Bob

Thanks for the tip regarding use of dye in lieu of stain, and the web link.

Mike
Mike & Joanne
'99  U320  40' build 5479
'06 Lexus GX470
Club #17378
(former '93 U225 36')

Re: Almost FINISHED with Renovations...YAY!!!

Reply #38 –
I have always preferred a clear coat on all woods including maple.  If I want a darker finish I will use a darker wood.  Natural cherry is my favorite.  I have used Maple in cabinets and furniture and have "Decided" that I like the natural graining as the folks above have stated - getting a great finish is laborious.  I used to spray all of my finishes.  To eliminate brush marks you must put on lots of coats very thin with sanding between.  I have also used Lamb pads.  Good luck.  ;D
Scott & Carol Seibert
2001 42' double slide U320 - Sold
Previous - 2002 36' U320

Re: Almost FINISHED with Renovations...YAY!!!

Reply #39 –
I also prefer a light finish on both maple and oak. Refinished a maple tabletop, sanded it to a very fine grit, around twelve hundred as I recall. Closed the pores. Used eight to ten costs of polyurethane. Used four aught steel wool between coats after the third coat. When finished with the urethane I applied  butchers wax, I reapplied the wax every six months or so, finish still like new surface like silk.

Roland
1993 U280 4341
2010 Jeep Liberty
The Pied Pipers

Re: Almost FINISHED with Renovations...YAY!!!

Reply #40 –
Great looking work. We did ours about a year ago, hardwood floors, couch and window valances Upholstry, window shades, 2 new cabinets.
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: Almost FINISHED with Renovations...YAY!!!

Reply #41 –
Roland - you are still my hero.    ;D
Scott & Carol Seibert
2001 42' double slide U320 - Sold
Previous - 2002 36' U320