Laurel Mountain Forge stain application method

[HighUintas]

Let me preface this with the fact that Ive never stained wood. I've always paintednit.

I'm going to stain my stock LMF Lancaster Maple. I will very likely stain with a mixture of gilsonite dissolved in turpentine first. Maple stain on top.

Below is a picture of my scrap stock wood. Sanded to 400 grit. The top square is the gilsonite. I think it may need a few more days to dissolve to get darker on one coat. The bottom two are the Lancaster maple stain undiluted. Bottom right is right after I dipped the applicator into the stain. Bottom left is after I stained the bottom right.

I used a cheapo sponge applicator like you'd use in art class as a kid because it's what I had on hand.

Bottom right looks very splotchy....

What applicators seem to work best with LMF stains?

Are LMF stains best applied in a single heavier application or several very thin applications?

Is it easier to stain without splotchiness if I dilute the stain and do several applications to get the darkness I want?

 

[tenngun]

Lots of thin and light, I like a terry cloth wash cloth and very light pressure buffed with 400 grit paper between coats.

 

[HighUintas]

Lots of thin and light, I like a terry cloth wash cloth and very light pressure buffed with 400 grit paper between coats.

I tried thin coats very lightly applied with a terry cloth and it looked much better. Thank you!

 

[Norman Brooks]

I use a cotton ball soaked in LMF and wet up the stock, then keep working until I get the desired results. I also mix different colors.

 

[geb324]

I use swabs and apply and wipe off the excess with clean rag