Staining exposed pocket-hole plugs

[Jeffery Long]

Forgive me if this addresses already, but I didn't find it.  I have seen some nice work done where exposed pocket-hole plugs are stained a contrasting color.  I have tried this on scraps, but can't get clean lines at the plug edges. 

Anyone done this?

Thx

[ray vile]

I don't think I ever seen holes stained a different color, but I have seen and used plugs of a contrasting color as an accent

 

[Jeffery Long]

OK.  Same idea.  Any tips?

[KregRep]

Jeffery, you're right this can be a very attractive look! The best ones I've seen have utilized stock of dramatically different color. They choose a black walnut, etc. for the main stock and then use pine, poplar, plugs (or visa versa) to create a strong contrast. Then they use a simple clear coat to finish the project... usually no significant stain.

[Jeffery Long]

Evidently you can't sand AFTER the plugs are installed.  I couldn't get my plugs to flush all that smoothly.

[ray vile]

Jeffery, You don't stain the plugs a contrasting color you use a plug that has been made from a darker or lighter wood than you are using. I have found that putting the plugs in a microwave first helps with them fitting better, I also have trimmed the flat ends of the plugs off an 1/8 of and inch or so on a bandsaw, while holding the plug in a pair of vice grips works well too

[Jeffery Long]

Yeah I kind of got that now.  In my trials I  was trying to do it with stained pieces.

[James P. Cottingham]

I suspect that since the plugs are cut at a slight angle, the grain is cut differently than the surrounding wood. When the stain is applied, the plug's grain soaks up more stain than the rest of the wood. You may have to treat the plugs like you would with end-grain. Now that they're stained, though, that may be tough.

End grain has to be sanded to a higher grit or sealed before staining.

[Jeffery Long]

Yeah for this next project, I'm going to abandon the Idea since I have to stain.    I can see how much less work it is using different species with natural finish.

[Ken Darga]

Have you tried taping off the area surrounding the plug end, 

and then stain the plug end?

(Use a ''fine'' pointed artist brush to apply the stain).