End grain absorbs 10-15x more finish than face grain — seal it first

End grain is like a bundle of drinking straws — it wicks finish deep into the wood, leaving it darker and blotchy. Before applying stain or finish, seal end grain with a washcoat (dewaxed shellac thinned 50:50 with denatured alcohol). Let it dry 30 minutes, then proceed with your normal finishing schedule. This one step eliminates the most common finishing complaint in woodworking.