Cherry ply wrapped with Alder

[Tim Plantz]

I am building a desk(top) built from Cherry Plywood wrapped with 3" Alder. What is the best way to finish this if I want the Alder wrap a different shade of dye than the Cherry Ply? Before or after assembly? I have a HVLP set-up to apply the dye and final Poly.

All suggestions are appreciated!!

[Scott Holmes]

Either dye them before you put it together or tape it off to dye them differnet colors. Get some quality "razors edge" or frog tape from a paint store. Don't use masking tape or blue tape.

Polyurethane varnish is tough, poly is not hard... Desks are better off with a hard varnish finish. Behlen's Rock Hard Table Top varnish would be a much better choice.

[Tim Plantz]

Thanks Scott! That's just what I was thinking, just wanted to see if there were any other suggestions to experiment with. Also, I will go ahead and purchase the varnish you suggested and see how it performs.

[Scott Holmes]

The manufacturers package it a bit thick for VOC reasons. Make sure you thin it about 10% with their thinner, which works better than using mineral spirits to thin it.