You might want to experiment with a "stain sealer" on some scrap cedar. Really soft woods like cedar and pine tend to absorb stains unevenly and you get a blotchly look when they dry. A stain sealer evens this out somewhat. As mentioned in other posts though, solvent based stains and sealers may cause a problem with the epoxy, so you will have to stay with water based ones.

> G'day mates!

> Got lots of clear cedar out here on the west coast of Vancouver Island but
> having a heck of a time finding redwood. Have even phoned all the
> lumber/finishing stores on the Canadian mainland with no success.

> Question of the week: Why can't I stain some of my cedar a darker colour?
> A friend in the home decorating business tells me that I will notice the
> difference right away - a flat, consistent, un-natural tint. But thought I
> would pose the question to this forum, anyone out there stained there
> cedar a darker colour? were you pleased with results? would you do it
> again?

> thanks in advance!

> Warren