Furniture, Wood and Cabinetry Finishing - cabinet stripping: getting the red out??

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lbfoss
02-14-06, 11:41 AM
I have ash wood kitchen cabinets that have reddened with age, and no amount of stripping, chlorox bleaching, oxalic acid bleaching, or sanding seems to reduce the red tint when I apply clear Deft lacquer over it.

Does any one have any suggestions?? I was looking for a very light honey tone but don't know how to eliminate or camaflauge the red cast that persists.
Thanks, Linda


George
02-15-06, 06:19 AM
Red tones can be modified using a thin "wash coat" of green. Picture a triangle; /_\...Red is at one corner, Yellow at another, and Blue at the third corner. The color between yellow and blue is green - directly across from Red. Colors directly opposite each other in the triangle neutralize each other toward a brown shade. Just how much green is needed depends on the intensity of the red.

This is a project that really needs a professional.

In my shop I use various toners - a clear finish with a little color added; mainly green and blue, to neutralize their opposites (Red & Orange, respectively).

If your cabinets have a really intense red, I'm afraid you're either going to have to be satisfied with a medium to dark brown, or wind up painting them.

lbfoss
02-16-06, 11:22 AM
Wow, thanks, George.
I would never have thought of using a color to counteract the red tint. would I put the green color into the varnish coat? I had actually thought of using the white pickling stain to hide some of the red, but perhaps I should try your suggestion first.
Also, would wood bleach with peroxide help? I gather that it is sold in paint stores, altho I haven't actually seen it when I have been in them.
What type of color tint would you recommend? Zar, Minwax, etc?? should I use a staining technique of wipe-on/wipe-off or try the tint in varnish?

i was so counting on the oxalic acid wash, but it basically did nothing so now I have an 8 lb tub of it.
Thank you for your suggestions.
Linda