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Poplar Question

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  I have not used poplar much and have little knowledge of how it looks as it ages. I am completing a project with some Poplar that I selected because it has some green color to it. When Poplar ages, does the green get darker, does it turn colors to a brown or does it lighten up some. I am hoping that it gets a darker green.




What can your experience tell me?

I have never seen the colors change in intensity. But then again, Poplar is used mostly with a paint finish as opposed to stain or clear coat. I made an umbrella stand about 12-13 years ago as my wife wanted one quickly as we were having a lot of rain and we were going to have people over during the weekend so I made one up using Poplar as I had some on hand along with some Poplar corner molding and stained it and then put some Poly on it. We still use it today. 


Poplar is very soft and dents easily and has issues taking stain due to the wide coloration as well as grain patterns. But it is very easy to work with and is very stable. It works great for making door panels for cabinet doors that will be painted as well as for molding an trim that will be painted. 




Allen Worsham
Corona, CA

allenworsham@earthlink.net

http://www.awcreationsandwoodcrafts.com

'Graze in every man's field, but always give your own milk' J. Vernon McGee

  • Author

 I used the Poplar as part of a wooden flower scene picture. I am hoping that it would give it a special look. I think it did and will post some pictures after the final Poly coat. To be honest about Poplar, I got the opinion that it was more of a junk wood. However it isn't cheap like you would think it should be. 

The poplar I have used in my experience has had the green turn to a darker brown as it ages.  Poplar is a good choice if you want a "hard" softer wood to be painted. If you choose to stain  it, there are steps for balancing and control to be taken.




Wayne Mahler
God bless and protect our troops that serve so we can be free.

Ron here a couple of pictures of some poplar I used on a shop cabinet that I put my grinder on. I was real concerned with the sap wood and heart wood colors since it was a shop cabinet. But as you can see you will get some variation. I don't remember off hand how much of this had the green color in it, but it has turned a little darker with time. I didn't have a recent shop on the computer but I can get one for comparison. This just has (shhhh) Poly on it.



ning-grindercabinet-30832-45.jpgning-grindercabinet2-30832-43.jpg




John Moody
Site Administrator


John Moody Woodworks
http://www.johnmoodywoodworks.com

I use poplar in many areas of scrolling.  Biggest problem I have is warping on larger pieces.  The green and purple colors will turn darker with age.  Here is a cutting I have done with "black poplar".


"Native American Portrait"


ning-indianportrait-jpg-30831-42.jpg?wid




Fred
aka Pop's Shop
www.pops-shop.com
EX-21
'Soooooo many patterns - sooooo little time'

Ron, it does turn a nice warm brown, it will not hold its greenish tint. I love it with a nice warm honey finish on it.




John Morris
The Patriot Woodworker
Proud Supporter of Wounded Warrior Project and Homes For Our Troops

Dang John, that's about the nicest poplar cabinet I think I have ever seen, beautiful contrasting colors!

John Moody said:


Ron here a couple of pictures of some poplar I used on a shop cabinet that I put my grinder on. I was real concerned with the sap wood and heart wood colors since it was a shop cabinet. But as you can see you will get some variation. I don't remember off hand how much of this had the green color in it, but it has turned a little darker with time. I didn't have a recent shop on the computer but I can get one for comparison. This just has (shhhh) Poly on it.



ning-grindercabinet-30829-89.jpgning-grindercabinet2-30829-29.jpg




John Moody
Site Administrator


John Moody Woodworks
http://www.johnmoodywoodworks.com






John Morris
The Patriot Woodworker
Proud Supporter of Wounded Warrior Project and Homes For Our Troops

Another fine example of scrolling, and how poplar turns dark brown, in this case, it worked really well Fred! Great job my friend!

Fred Wilson said:


I use poplar in many areas of scrolling.  Biggest problem I have is warping on larger pieces.  The green and purple colors will turn darker with age.  Here is a cutting I have done with "black poplar".


"Native American Portrait"


ning-indianportrait-jpg-30828-23.jpg?wid




Fred
aka Pop's Shop
www.pops-shop.com
EX-21
'Soooooo many patterns - sooooo little time'






John Morris
The Patriot Woodworker
Proud Supporter of Wounded Warrior Project and Homes For Our Troops

Thanks John.

John Morris said:


Dang John, that's about the nicest poplar cabinet I think I have ever seen, beautiful contrasting colors!

John Moody said:





John Morris
The Patriot Woodworker
Proud Supporter of Wounded Warrior Project and Homes For Our Troops


Fred,



Beautiful cutting!!!!  I had never heard of black poplar.  That is a great color.  



SQ

Fred Wilson said:


I use poplar in many areas of scrolling.  Biggest problem I have is warping on larger pieces.  The green and purple colors will turn darker with age.  Here is a cutting I have done with "black poplar".


"Native American Portrait"


ning-indianportrait-jpg-30826-26.jpg?wid




Fred
aka Pop's Shop
www.pops-shop.com
EX-21
'Soooooo many patterns - sooooo little time'




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