Poplar bowl problem

[mike talbot]

I made a chip and dip bowl that called for maple, so being cheap, I used poplar instead. Now it seems the end grain inside the bowl looks like it chipped out when routing. I've sanded as much as I could and although the wood is smooth, when I wipe it with mineral spirits, that area has a splotted muddy light brown area instead of the light yellow color on the sides.

I don't want to polyurethane without trying to remedy this problem.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

[Mike Cruz]

I think that that is just the nature of endgrain. It will always be darker (or at least different) than the straight grain.

[Nathan Hawkes]

Sounds like you're describing what is known as "bruising". Even after you either remove by cutting or sanding, the torn grain, the end grain fibers are compressed such that they absorb much more liquid than other, side or face grain areas. Poplar is a soft wood; the best way to avoid this is to not let it happen. Knocking back the heel edge of your bevel to less than 1/8" is a good start, then light finish cuts to fully remedy the problem.

[mike talbot]

Thanks for the input. Another lesson learned.