I am currently working on an oak bookcase, and I am planning on staining it very dark to match (or come close to matching) an antique bookcase I own. I have experimented with Minwax Special Walnut and Dark Walnut stains, but I have run into two problems: 1). I just can't seem to get it dark enough despite repeated coats, and 2). After application of the stain and rubbing the excess off, the stain begins to wick out of the pores in the wood and create blotches at the ends of the open sections of grain. I can rub it out easily enough, but it seeps out for hours before abating. Any suggestions? Should I be using a different stain to achieve a darker finish a less blotchiness? I have little familiarity with wood finishes so any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!
- Mike