Fixing Blotchy stain

I used sanding sealer (shellac).

I have read many articles talking about conditioner, toners and even diluted PVA glue; Anything that seal the pores and hopefully does not prevent stain absorption too much.

This said I am very lousy at finishing so hopefully some of the pro will chime in.

Thanks Ianwater !!
I will try that, I talked to some pros down at the Sherian Williams store & they recommend MinWax pre stain conditioner.
Making sample boards for a customer (kitchen & laundry room cabinets) using oak, hickory & alder.
The knotty alder is giving me the problem.

Min wax stain conditioner is 90% solvents (MSDS), you would do just as well diluting varnish and equal amount and use it….besides saving some money. These (sanding sealers) are all just a very thin finish.

In my opinion the best conditioner out there is Charles Neil’s blotch control

http://lumberjocks.com/reviews/1430

In my opinion the best conditioner out there is Charles Neil’s blotch control

Yup, I agree with that 100%.

Thanks to all for the great information, I want to try all of them.

De-waxed shellac diluted 50% with alcohol seems to work well. Zinser seems to be the only seller of it pre-mixed, called sanding sealer.

I mix 1/7 lacquer thinner to topcoat being used for the job and spray this on evenly. Then lightly sand with 320 freecut sandpaper and stain.Then apply sealer/ toocoat. Pretty much elimnates blotch.

I mix 1/7 lacquer thinner to topcoat being used for the job and spray this on evenly. Then lightly sand with 320 freecut sandpaper and stain.Then apply sealer/ topcoat. Pretty much elimnates blotch.

Thanks to all.
I have copied & saved all of these recipes.
I have made 3 sample boards using oak, hickory & knotty alder.
I used a couple your protocols on the alder.
If they choose the alder I will explore the rest of them for the best results.
Thanks for all of your great input !!