I have some poplar panels that I need to color match with some ugly veneer. They are two columns of a modular entertainment center that got broken during a move. The original columns are 1 9/16" thick, 18" wide and 7'+ long particle board with a somewhat striped maple-ish plastic veneer.
I decided to use solid poplar for the replacements, and use a wood toner to match the color of the stripes. As you can see in the second picture, I was fairly successful. However, as you can se in the first picture, a close-up, when I used the blue Scoth Masking tape (#2090) to mask off the lighter areas, and the medium colored areas, it left a significant amount of residue on the wood that both attracted, in some areas and repelled in other areas, a LOT of toner, and left significant bumps after the first coat of lacquer. This is evident by the dark dots all along where the tape lines were. I did not see any of the residue until the first coat of lacquer.
So, I promptly got on the phone with 3M to describe my woes. They should be calling me back today with a proper product recommendation.
So, yesterday afternoon, 3rd picture, I sanded them back to bare wood again. Twice the work for the same amount of money. How fun.
Todd.