Furniture, Wood and Cabinetry Finishing - Refinishing wood bedroom suite
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DLeigh
08-10-02, 03:30 AM
Hello and happy to find you all! Hoping someone can help me with this. I am very, very, very new to this and confused how to begin my project. Recouping from major back surgery after an accident and all my physical activity is limited while I recover (can't work, walk far, etc :( ) ....so I have devoted my time to this project and I have ALLOT of time on my hands ....... just want to do this project right!
OK, how's that for an introduction ... now here's what I'm attempting to do -- refinish my bedroom suite. I am a complete novice, here's the little I do know. It currently has some sort of stain (and definatley a bright, think gloss - which I hate!) on it, I have no idea what the actual wood type is underneath.
1) I would like to remove this gloss and stain. I have seen some products for this. Do I need to purchase and use both a deglossing agent and also a stain remover? The degloseer prducts seem straight-forward. But the stain removers are very confusing for me -- there seem to be different types -- are these for different types of stains? How would I know which type to get? Also, once I establish which one to get -- am I even correct in thinking it will be a 2 step process for me. 1 - to degloss and then 2 - to "destain"
2) Once I have all the old stuff gone -- I would like to retain the natural color of it -- ONLY if the natural wood is a very light color --buff. (You see I have no idea what lies beneath right now)...If it is the right color that I am looking for, I am assuming that I would just need some sort of light stain or gloss? Unsure, I am going for a natural look. BUT -- IF the color underneath is darker than I would like is there something I can do to it to give it the light buff color? ---- If not, my next alternative would be to paint it a white color -- but would like to give it a distressed look on the edges.
-----3) This will open up a whole new can of worms for me. I have seen some books on painting this distress look by using candle wax on the edges first...but I am confused -- besides the white paint -- will I need any other paint or stain or what?
I know these are many questions and I apologize in advance. If someone can lead me in the right direction I would so, so appreciate. I have seen some books on refinishing on Amazon but again, so many and left me confused. Since I am so new at this would anyone recommend I read a book(s) on the matter and if so, do you have any suggestions on which book, author?
OK....that should do it for now. I look forward to starting my project and look forward to your responses on suggestions. Thanks so much and take care! D
OK, how's that for an introduction ... now here's what I'm attempting to do -- refinish my bedroom suite. I am a complete novice, here's the little I do know. It currently has some sort of stain (and definatley a bright, think gloss - which I hate!) on it, I have no idea what the actual wood type is underneath.
1) I would like to remove this gloss and stain. I have seen some products for this. Do I need to purchase and use both a deglossing agent and also a stain remover? The degloseer prducts seem straight-forward. But the stain removers are very confusing for me -- there seem to be different types -- are these for different types of stains? How would I know which type to get? Also, once I establish which one to get -- am I even correct in thinking it will be a 2 step process for me. 1 - to degloss and then 2 - to "destain"
2) Once I have all the old stuff gone -- I would like to retain the natural color of it -- ONLY if the natural wood is a very light color --buff. (You see I have no idea what lies beneath right now)...If it is the right color that I am looking for, I am assuming that I would just need some sort of light stain or gloss? Unsure, I am going for a natural look. BUT -- IF the color underneath is darker than I would like is there something I can do to it to give it the light buff color? ---- If not, my next alternative would be to paint it a white color -- but would like to give it a distressed look on the edges.
-----3) This will open up a whole new can of worms for me. I have seen some books on painting this distress look by using candle wax on the edges first...but I am confused -- besides the white paint -- will I need any other paint or stain or what?
I know these are many questions and I apologize in advance. If someone can lead me in the right direction I would so, so appreciate. I have seen some books on refinishing on Amazon but again, so many and left me confused. Since I am so new at this would anyone recommend I read a book(s) on the matter and if so, do you have any suggestions on which book, author?
OK....that should do it for now. I look forward to starting my project and look forward to your responses on suggestions. Thanks so much and take care! D
George
08-10-02, 02:28 PM
D:
Hope your recovery is speedy; what you propose is going to call for more physical activity than it sounds like you're ready for right now. Having said that...
To remove stain from wood you must first get to it...that means you must remove the finish; deglossing is NOT the answer.
Some paint/varnish removers (strippers) remove stain more readily than others, and their effectiveness will vary depending on what the manufacturer used to stain the piece in the first place. There's no way of knowing before hand. One Stripper I know of that removes SOME stain MOST of the time is Kwik Paint and Varnish Remover.
If the color is not what you want at that point, it is possible to bleach it to a lighter color. Most home centers and paint stores sell a 2-part bleach; look for it by that description (forget brand) and buy the cheapest - they're virtually all identical. Again, not knowing what type of wood you're dealing with there's no way to predict what you'll get.
To save you a lot of grief (and possibly wasted effort) I would strongly suggest you try removing the finish and stain on ONE item - such as a drawer. If, after working on that you feel you're not going to get what you want and decide to paint everything, at least you haven't expended a lot of time and money (and effort) on a lost cause.
On the other hand, if it works out you'll know better where you're going on the rest of the set and whether it's worth your effort to keep on.
Any more questions, feel free to come back often.
Hope your recovery is speedy; what you propose is going to call for more physical activity than it sounds like you're ready for right now. Having said that...
To remove stain from wood you must first get to it...that means you must remove the finish; deglossing is NOT the answer.
Some paint/varnish removers (strippers) remove stain more readily than others, and their effectiveness will vary depending on what the manufacturer used to stain the piece in the first place. There's no way of knowing before hand. One Stripper I know of that removes SOME stain MOST of the time is Kwik Paint and Varnish Remover.
If the color is not what you want at that point, it is possible to bleach it to a lighter color. Most home centers and paint stores sell a 2-part bleach; look for it by that description (forget brand) and buy the cheapest - they're virtually all identical. Again, not knowing what type of wood you're dealing with there's no way to predict what you'll get.
To save you a lot of grief (and possibly wasted effort) I would strongly suggest you try removing the finish and stain on ONE item - such as a drawer. If, after working on that you feel you're not going to get what you want and decide to paint everything, at least you haven't expended a lot of time and money (and effort) on a lost cause.
On the other hand, if it works out you'll know better where you're going on the rest of the set and whether it's worth your effort to keep on.
Any more questions, feel free to come back often.
DLeigh
09-02-02, 03:05 PM
:confused: Hi George -- thanks for your advice earlier in this thread. This project is definately more PT than anticipated -- so I have to pace myself (and with the help of some pain meds) ...
Anyway, I have purchased the stain remover and it appears to be working well in taking off majority of the previous stain and gloss on dresser drawer (I am working only on this as you had reccommended before doing all the pieces of furniture). But, the color of wood is simply much darker than I like and had hoped for it. I have reapplied and scratched off with a plastic tool several times already (I think 7 times to be exact). It seems to get slightly lighter each time, but still not lifting to the lightness that I'd like. I am unsure if the previous stain is completely saturated into the wood or what?
I used acetone nail remover in a test spot and it does seem to pick up some more stain......so I'm hoping that bleach will do the job. I will plan to purchase some from home supply store shortly. Things brings me to two seperate questions:
1) Can you please tell me are there instances when bleaching just doesn't work? Also, does the bleach take away the graining in the wood?.....I definately want the wood to retain the grained look?
2) Also as a side note, but related. I seemed to have been working AGAINST the grain in the side panel of the drawer when scraping off the destainer and now it appears the grained look is gone? Can this happen? ... Is it possible to scrape off the graning?
Very confused.......this is entirely new to me, hard work, but hope to enjoy finished project. Much thanks in advance, Deidre Leigh
Anyway, I have purchased the stain remover and it appears to be working well in taking off majority of the previous stain and gloss on dresser drawer (I am working only on this as you had reccommended before doing all the pieces of furniture). But, the color of wood is simply much darker than I like and had hoped for it. I have reapplied and scratched off with a plastic tool several times already (I think 7 times to be exact). It seems to get slightly lighter each time, but still not lifting to the lightness that I'd like. I am unsure if the previous stain is completely saturated into the wood or what?
I used acetone nail remover in a test spot and it does seem to pick up some more stain......so I'm hoping that bleach will do the job. I will plan to purchase some from home supply store shortly. Things brings me to two seperate questions:
1) Can you please tell me are there instances when bleaching just doesn't work? Also, does the bleach take away the graining in the wood?.....I definately want the wood to retain the grained look?
2) Also as a side note, but related. I seemed to have been working AGAINST the grain in the side panel of the drawer when scraping off the destainer and now it appears the grained look is gone? Can this happen? ... Is it possible to scrape off the graning?
Very confused.......this is entirely new to me, hard work, but hope to enjoy finished project. Much thanks in advance, Deidre Leigh
George
09-02-02, 06:00 PM
Bleaching will always have some effect. It's usually more pronounced on the woods that are darker to begin with, walnut, mahogany, etc.
The grain of some woods is more dominant than others. Unless you're dealing with a veneer and have gone through it to teh sub layer, I seriously doubt you've removed the grain. A simple test; wet the area in question with the acetone. Chances are you'll see a more pronounced grain than when it's dry. This same test can be used to determine the color a piece will have after putting a clear finish on it.
About grain; for basics, all you need to know is whether you're going along the grain, or across the grain. On drawer fronts, the grain almost always runs from side to side, with some inlays being the exception. On case good tops (dressers, etc.) the grain runs the length of the piece, not front to back. On tables, the grain usually runs along the short dimension (along the long dimension of a leaf).
Picture a tree growing, with a board leaning against it (for reference). If you go up the tree, you're going against the grain; down the tree, with the grain; from left to right (and vice versa) across the grain. For sanding purposes the last one is the one to avoid.
The grain of some woods is more dominant than others. Unless you're dealing with a veneer and have gone through it to teh sub layer, I seriously doubt you've removed the grain. A simple test; wet the area in question with the acetone. Chances are you'll see a more pronounced grain than when it's dry. This same test can be used to determine the color a piece will have after putting a clear finish on it.
About grain; for basics, all you need to know is whether you're going along the grain, or across the grain. On drawer fronts, the grain almost always runs from side to side, with some inlays being the exception. On case good tops (dressers, etc.) the grain runs the length of the piece, not front to back. On tables, the grain usually runs along the short dimension (along the long dimension of a leaf).
Picture a tree growing, with a board leaning against it (for reference). If you go up the tree, you're going against the grain; down the tree, with the grain; from left to right (and vice versa) across the grain. For sanding purposes the last one is the one to avoid.
#1charles
09-02-02, 07:28 PM
you will need too sand after you strip this will show you the wood more than anything else you do . I would strip one peice as mentioned above and then sand it with 150 grt. thenyou willsee where you stand. The bleach is alot of nasty work i would save this for last resort.
Just my input.
Charles
Just my input.
Charles