Furniture, Wood and Cabinetry Finishing - refinishing an antique armoire
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01-09-01, 08:04 AM
I've recently salvaged an old mahogany armoire from my aunts house in Brookline Ma.
My cousin had removed it from an old house in Boston that got demolished.
When I got it back to my work shop I discovered it was made from solid mahogany.
I'm currently stripping layers of old paint and varnish
from the piece of furniture and wanted to know what was the best way to refinish the armoire.
I live in an old house and all of my interior doors and wood work have an antique wood finish.
Would a tung oil finish be the best finish for an antique mahogany look.
My cousin had removed it from an old house in Boston that got demolished.
When I got it back to my work shop I discovered it was made from solid mahogany.
I'm currently stripping layers of old paint and varnish
from the piece of furniture and wanted to know what was the best way to refinish the armoire.
I live in an old house and all of my interior doors and wood work have an antique wood finish.
Would a tung oil finish be the best finish for an antique mahogany look.
01-10-01, 05:14 PM
Gump,
I moved your question to George's Furniture Refinishing forum where you will find expert advice.
The Timber Tailor
I moved your question to George's Furniture Refinishing forum where you will find expert advice.
The Timber Tailor
George
01-10-01, 05:33 PM
Gump:
If it were mine, and truly an antique, I'd French Polish it, but that's a difficult skill to master.
The choice between an oil finish (penetrating) or some other finish (built up) is basically one of esthetics. Do you want to feel the grain of the wood - or do you want a smooth glossy surface?
If the former, go with the oil - if the latter, I'd use lacquer. Aerosol cans work well - I use Deft all the time in my shop for small pieces and touchup -no reason why you couldn't do an entire piece that way.
If it were mine, and truly an antique, I'd French Polish it, but that's a difficult skill to master.
The choice between an oil finish (penetrating) or some other finish (built up) is basically one of esthetics. Do you want to feel the grain of the wood - or do you want a smooth glossy surface?
If the former, go with the oil - if the latter, I'd use lacquer. Aerosol cans work well - I use Deft all the time in my shop for small pieces and touchup -no reason why you couldn't do an entire piece that way.
01-17-01, 04:20 PM
Originally posted by George
Gump:
If it were mine, and truly an antique, I'd French Polish it, but that's a difficult skill to master.
The choice between an oil finish (penetrating) or some other finish (built up) is basically one of esthetics. Do you want to feel the grain of the wood - or do you want a smooth glossy surface?
If the former, go with the oil - if the latter, I'd use lacquer. Aerosol cans work well - I use Deft all the time in my shop for small pieces and touchup -no reason why you couldn't do an entire piece that way.
George:
I'm curious what french polishing is?
I've refinished alot of pieces before and never heard of this method.
I've been abuilder for almost 20 yrs. and I have alot of patients and time.
I now refinish pieces of furniture for a way to relax.It helps me releave the stress of being a correction officer in a high security prison.
GUMP
Gump:
If it were mine, and truly an antique, I'd French Polish it, but that's a difficult skill to master.
The choice between an oil finish (penetrating) or some other finish (built up) is basically one of esthetics. Do you want to feel the grain of the wood - or do you want a smooth glossy surface?
If the former, go with the oil - if the latter, I'd use lacquer. Aerosol cans work well - I use Deft all the time in my shop for small pieces and touchup -no reason why you couldn't do an entire piece that way.
George:
I'm curious what french polishing is?
I've refinished alot of pieces before and never heard of this method.
I've been abuilder for almost 20 yrs. and I have alot of patients and time.
I now refinish pieces of furniture for a way to relax.It helps me releave the stress of being a correction officer in a high security prison.
GUMP
George
01-18-01, 03:47 PM
Gump:
French polishing is a technique for applying shellac that utilizes (along with shellac) pumice and linseed oil. A balance of the three components is needed to successfully apply it, and that balance is a learning curve achieved by trial and error.
Nearly identical results can be achieved by using padding lacquer -a boon to the modern day furniture 'touch-up' man as this allows him to remove small scratches flawlessly. The padding lacquer combines the elements of finish, filler and lubricant in one liquid, making it much easier to apply. This is something you can pick up in one afternoon of practice, and get better with as you go along.
Check either of the two sites I list below for more definitive books on the subject.
http://www.vandykes.com
http://www.rockler.com
French polishing is a technique for applying shellac that utilizes (along with shellac) pumice and linseed oil. A balance of the three components is needed to successfully apply it, and that balance is a learning curve achieved by trial and error.
Nearly identical results can be achieved by using padding lacquer -a boon to the modern day furniture 'touch-up' man as this allows him to remove small scratches flawlessly. The padding lacquer combines the elements of finish, filler and lubricant in one liquid, making it much easier to apply. This is something you can pick up in one afternoon of practice, and get better with as you go along.
Check either of the two sites I list below for more definitive books on the subject.
http://www.vandykes.com
http://www.rockler.com
01-18-01, 06:34 PM
Originally posted by George
Gump:
French polishing is a technique for applying shellac that utilizes (along with shellac) pumice and linseed oil. A balance of the three components is needed to successfully apply it, and that balance is a learning curve achieved by trial and error.
Nearly identical results can be achieved by using padding lacquer -a boon to the modern day furniture 'touch-up' man as this allows him to remove small scratches flawlessly. The padding lacquer combines the elements of finish, filler and lubricant in one liquid, making it much easier to apply. This is something you can pick up in one afternoon of practice, and get better with as you go along.
Check either of the two sites I list below for more definitive books on the subject.
George:
Thanks for your help
Gump
http://www.vandykes.com
http://www.rockler.com
Gump:
French polishing is a technique for applying shellac that utilizes (along with shellac) pumice and linseed oil. A balance of the three components is needed to successfully apply it, and that balance is a learning curve achieved by trial and error.
Nearly identical results can be achieved by using padding lacquer -a boon to the modern day furniture 'touch-up' man as this allows him to remove small scratches flawlessly. The padding lacquer combines the elements of finish, filler and lubricant in one liquid, making it much easier to apply. This is something you can pick up in one afternoon of practice, and get better with as you go along.
Check either of the two sites I list below for more definitive books on the subject.
George:
Thanks for your help
Gump
http://www.vandykes.com
http://www.rockler.com