Furniture, Wood and Cabinetry Finishing - alligatoring in mahogoney after stripping
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04-11-01, 06:50 PM
As a newbie I'm refinishing a 1939 mahogany sewing cabinet, seemingly solid in many places with possibly a bit of veneer. It was a gift to my Mother from my Dad and has sentimental value.
It was painted in an 'antique' yellow finish and I've removed about 95% of that with 3M Safest Stripper. I have not sanded yet.
Now I'm faced with a finish that is tacky and marred with water rings from glasses, very alligatored on the outside of the top leaves of the cabinet, etc..)
I want to bring the finish back to something akin to its original state, it has a curved front with drawers on the curve and handles as part of the wood curving.
Should I attempt to strip and or bleach the dark color and then work on the water marks (hoping that this step will remove the alligatoring on the top) or what?
I like the mahogoney color and smooth finish - can I get there from here?
What's the best method and products to achieve this restoration?
It was painted in an 'antique' yellow finish and I've removed about 95% of that with 3M Safest Stripper. I have not sanded yet.
Now I'm faced with a finish that is tacky and marred with water rings from glasses, very alligatored on the outside of the top leaves of the cabinet, etc..)
I want to bring the finish back to something akin to its original state, it has a curved front with drawers on the curve and handles as part of the wood curving.
Should I attempt to strip and or bleach the dark color and then work on the water marks (hoping that this step will remove the alligatoring on the top) or what?
I like the mahogoney color and smooth finish - can I get there from here?
What's the best method and products to achieve this restoration?
George
04-12-01, 03:23 PM
Patty:
If it is the finish that is 'alligatoring', stripping will remove it. Any white water marks will be removed also. Dark water marks can be dealt with by applying oxalic acid (don't let the name scare you) to the entire area. Don't try to 'spot' fix these - do the entire surface containing the water marks. You normally get results within 60 seconds of application.
After the piece is completely stripped and cleaned, wipe the surface down with a rag wet with lacquer thinner. The color you see at this point is the color you'll get by applying a clear finish without staining. If you like the color, you don't need to stain. If not, the choice of stain to get the color you want is up to you.
Aerosol lacquer will be the easiest to work with on a piece as detailed as yours. You can choose your sheen (I'd use satin), and brand (I use Deft Clear wood Finish).
Some sanding may be necessary before this step - just go easy on the veneered sections - it's easy to sand through. And just in case you haven't figured it out, yes, you can get there from where you are...have fun!
If it is the finish that is 'alligatoring', stripping will remove it. Any white water marks will be removed also. Dark water marks can be dealt with by applying oxalic acid (don't let the name scare you) to the entire area. Don't try to 'spot' fix these - do the entire surface containing the water marks. You normally get results within 60 seconds of application.
After the piece is completely stripped and cleaned, wipe the surface down with a rag wet with lacquer thinner. The color you see at this point is the color you'll get by applying a clear finish without staining. If you like the color, you don't need to stain. If not, the choice of stain to get the color you want is up to you.
Aerosol lacquer will be the easiest to work with on a piece as detailed as yours. You can choose your sheen (I'd use satin), and brand (I use Deft Clear wood Finish).
Some sanding may be necessary before this step - just go easy on the veneered sections - it's easy to sand through. And just in case you haven't figured it out, yes, you can get there from where you are...have fun!
04-13-01, 01:27 PM
Thank you for the clear instructions! I really appreciate your help & am enjoying the Do-It-Yourself site!! Patty