Furniture, Wood and Cabinetry Finishing - Finishing touches on my old woodwork
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edtree
08-09-02, 03:25 AM
Thanks again Fred for pointing me in the right direction on purchasing the wood conditioner and stain for my old woodwork.
A few more questions on finishing: I achieved the color I wanted on my wood by using the wood conditioner, two applications of red mahogany gel stain and a satin poly. I spent about a week working with test boards to get this just right but my test boards were not weathered. Most of the pieces are bright and clean but the window sill, no matter how much I sand, is still grey. If I bleach this piece and not the rest, is it going to look different? Or should I just apply less stain.
Also, the trim piece that goes over the window has multiple holes from old curtain rod hardware. I've found and tested some wood filler that does stain well, but stains dark. These holes are all pretty much in the same general area and I'm afraid I might end up with a polka-dot dark blob effect. What do you suggest in a case like this?
By the way George, I have the book you've been recommending ("Understanding Wood Finishing") on order from Amazon. I'm looking forward to learning more about wood and refinishing as I'm enjoying this project very much.
I'm also enjoying the wealth of information I receive here as well. Thanks in advance for your expertise.
Elizabeth
A few more questions on finishing: I achieved the color I wanted on my wood by using the wood conditioner, two applications of red mahogany gel stain and a satin poly. I spent about a week working with test boards to get this just right but my test boards were not weathered. Most of the pieces are bright and clean but the window sill, no matter how much I sand, is still grey. If I bleach this piece and not the rest, is it going to look different? Or should I just apply less stain.
Also, the trim piece that goes over the window has multiple holes from old curtain rod hardware. I've found and tested some wood filler that does stain well, but stains dark. These holes are all pretty much in the same general area and I'm afraid I might end up with a polka-dot dark blob effect. What do you suggest in a case like this?
By the way George, I have the book you've been recommending ("Understanding Wood Finishing") on order from Amazon. I'm looking forward to learning more about wood and refinishing as I'm enjoying this project very much.
I'm also enjoying the wealth of information I receive here as well. Thanks in advance for your expertise.
Elizabeth
George
08-09-02, 05:50 PM
Elizabeth:
Fred will be along shortly with additional information, but here's what I would do. Bleach the grey owod with oxalic acid -you're dealing with a water stain, and this will remove it.
As far as color match against the rest of the wood goes, you'll come closer this way than trying to control the amount of stain applied acorss different areas and trying to get them all to match.
Remember, you are dealing with wood, which is not uniform (one of its appealing aspects). Shoot for an overall look, and don't worry if one area is lighter/darker than another. If you can't see the variance from 10 feet away, it's not worth worrying about
If at all possible, replace the top piece of trim rather than try to patch it - it will try your patience trying to get wood putty to match the color of the surrounding wood. If you just can't replace it, use it sparingly and before youstain, apply just a touch (use an art brush) of poly to the sanded filler. This will seal the filler and keep it from absorbing so much stain.
Fred will be along shortly with additional information, but here's what I would do. Bleach the grey owod with oxalic acid -you're dealing with a water stain, and this will remove it.
As far as color match against the rest of the wood goes, you'll come closer this way than trying to control the amount of stain applied acorss different areas and trying to get them all to match.
Remember, you are dealing with wood, which is not uniform (one of its appealing aspects). Shoot for an overall look, and don't worry if one area is lighter/darker than another. If you can't see the variance from 10 feet away, it's not worth worrying about
If at all possible, replace the top piece of trim rather than try to patch it - it will try your patience trying to get wood putty to match the color of the surrounding wood. If you just can't replace it, use it sparingly and before youstain, apply just a touch (use an art brush) of poly to the sanded filler. This will seal the filler and keep it from absorbing so much stain.