Thread: patchy kwila post not sure what to do

Hmmm, a bit of a breakdown in communication, p'raps? Maybe you should have specified 'solid wood suitable for a clear finish', but judging by the responses you got on the other forum, it seems some folk are quite happy with the piebald look, so you would have got this in any case. Like you, I find it totally unacceptable - yuk!

That is definitely 'paint grade' stuff, and there is probably nothing you can ever do that will disguise the fact that it ain't a solid piece of wood! I got the same sort of laminated & finger-jointed material on the rails of our veranda extension (aren't there any Kwila trees taller than a metre left? ), but it didn't bother me too much as I was going to paint it anyway. Actually, the stuff they used on my job was far better matched than yours. I used the 'leftovers' to make two short stair rails inside the house, and after a couple of coats of Poly you cannot see any joins, even if you look closely.

I would also not advise letting it 'weather'! That stuff 'bleeds' like a stuck pig if it gets rained on, and will stain other wood or concrete horribly. DAMHIK! I also have to wonder about the 20 year garauntee. Twenty years is hardly much time in what I hope will be the life of your veranda, & who's going to take responsibility for it if it falls to bits 19 years from now?.......

Cheers,

You have 3 choices:
Remove and replace with solid.
Paint.
Live with and learn to love it.

TM

Hmm, can't say that I have that much trouble with it myself. I would wonder if the one post you have chosen to photograph is far and away the worst example of colour difference? Far superior to treated pine. Solid timber is available, but at a premium that most people aren't prepared to pay! Looks very good with an Intergrain water based stain on it. I'd live with it, it'll probably grow on you.

From your other forum

I actually am going to put my foot down with the patio company because I think they should have done a much better quality control on the post I think it's up to them to resolve this issue

I don't think you've got a leg (or post) to stand on; you asked for Kwila and that's what they supplied. If it's fit for its intended purpose and structurally sound they've satisfied quality control.
Massive colour variation is one of the risks you take with multi-laminated timber, if you specifically wanted something that's clear-coat grade you should have specified it in writing and they would be well within their rights to charge a premium for the extra time it would take to check their stock and select the best bits and for any extra timber they may have to order.

Looks good as is. 2 coats of merbau stained decking oil will bring the colour to something more similar, it will darken the colour a bit.