Furniture, Wood and Cabinetry Finishing - repair spots on finish
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04-25-01, 11:10 AM
Have cherry finished bedroom furniture, have several spots that finish has been discolored and made gummy by different solutions spilled on it. I tried to remove spots with furniture refinisher and wood underneath is a lot lighter. grain shows through old finish, but is much much darker. I asumme the top coat is lacquer. Is there a stain in the top finish and how do I match it and replace top coat.
George
04-25-01, 05:10 PM
Vernon:
Let's take things in order.
Yes, there is color in the finish and it is lacquer. Many factories use what is called a 'toner' in the final process of finishing a piece. It's lacquer, with a color added. The idea being to 'pull together' the natural variations in color in the wood. Some factories use a toner throughout the entire finishing process - some just touch up before applying a final finish coat of clear lacquer. Broyhill is famous (or infamous among refinishers) for using a toner throughout.
Now then. If the spots you mention are larger than a dime, I'd suggest you take it to a professional to have the TOP ONLY stripped and refinished. This way, you can be assured of a color match between the top and the rest of the piece.
Repairing large areas damaged as you outline is almost impossible for the homeowner.
PS - the gumminess you mentioned was a left-over from something spilled on the surface or residue from hand oils that destroyed the finish. Could be either one.
If you feel up to stripping, matching stain and applying a new finish, you can tackle this yourself, of course. Frankly, it's a lot easier to strip and refinish than repair this damage in the type of surface you're dealing with.
Let's take things in order.
Yes, there is color in the finish and it is lacquer. Many factories use what is called a 'toner' in the final process of finishing a piece. It's lacquer, with a color added. The idea being to 'pull together' the natural variations in color in the wood. Some factories use a toner throughout the entire finishing process - some just touch up before applying a final finish coat of clear lacquer. Broyhill is famous (or infamous among refinishers) for using a toner throughout.
Now then. If the spots you mention are larger than a dime, I'd suggest you take it to a professional to have the TOP ONLY stripped and refinished. This way, you can be assured of a color match between the top and the rest of the piece.
Repairing large areas damaged as you outline is almost impossible for the homeowner.
PS - the gumminess you mentioned was a left-over from something spilled on the surface or residue from hand oils that destroyed the finish. Could be either one.
If you feel up to stripping, matching stain and applying a new finish, you can tackle this yourself, of course. Frankly, it's a lot easier to strip and refinish than repair this damage in the type of surface you're dealing with.