Furniture, Wood and Cabinetry Finishing - Staining Table
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10-18-01, 08:00 PM
Hello George, I bought a second hand Kitchen dining set, Large table, four chairs, two carvers. I reupholstered the chairs (look great) and restained them. The table is the problem, the Table had deep scratches right into the wood, past the lacquer finish, I flatted out the scratches, feather edged all the repairs, and restained with a varnish stain, i had to keep recoating the stain because where I had broken the surface of the lacquer, down to the wood, the repair showed through, I kept flatting and staining until the repair was reasonable finish. BUT the beautiful graining has been lost. The finish looks good, but no grain showing through loses the appeal. I now intend to strip the table back to the wood, can you please advise (1) what stripper I should use (I want to do it all myself) (2) Can you give me any advise as to the build up of stain or finish I should put on the table, to get a reasonable result, Not french polish etc. A nice enough stain/varnish/lacquer finish. so that i can see the graining. sorry about the long drawn out question. George Davies 2.
Bob The Boardman
10-23-01, 08:31 AM
George
The reason you can't see the grain is that most stains contain pigments (like those in paint). Pigments oscure grain. To add color, without obscuring the surface or grain, you should use a dye. They're available from a number of sources including http://www.constantines.com and http://www.vandykes.com. They are mixed with water or alcohol and ragged or brushed on the surface. When dry, you can apply a stain over them to even out, enhance/highlight, or modify the color. I usually apply a spit coat of shellac (1 part shellac to 4 parts alcohol) over the dyed surface before staining.
In terms of stripping, I prefer Stryp-Eeze (I believe George does also). Once stripped, rub down surface with lacquer thinner or naptha (soak rags in water before disposing). This will remove any left over stripper.
You can then apply a dye, let it dry, apply a spit coat, let it dry, sand lightly with a 400 grit paper to level out any raised grain, & remove dust. You can then apply an oil or gel stain.
When dry, light sand and remove dust, and apply 2 or 3 coats of the finish of your choice, sanding lightly between coats. After last coat, let piece dry for a week ( 2 is better). Then rub the piece down with an automotive polishing compound, followed by an auto scratch remover, followed by an auto paste wax.
Good Luck, Bob
The reason you can't see the grain is that most stains contain pigments (like those in paint). Pigments oscure grain. To add color, without obscuring the surface or grain, you should use a dye. They're available from a number of sources including http://www.constantines.com and http://www.vandykes.com. They are mixed with water or alcohol and ragged or brushed on the surface. When dry, you can apply a stain over them to even out, enhance/highlight, or modify the color. I usually apply a spit coat of shellac (1 part shellac to 4 parts alcohol) over the dyed surface before staining.
In terms of stripping, I prefer Stryp-Eeze (I believe George does also). Once stripped, rub down surface with lacquer thinner or naptha (soak rags in water before disposing). This will remove any left over stripper.
You can then apply a dye, let it dry, apply a spit coat, let it dry, sand lightly with a 400 grit paper to level out any raised grain, & remove dust. You can then apply an oil or gel stain.
When dry, light sand and remove dust, and apply 2 or 3 coats of the finish of your choice, sanding lightly between coats. After last coat, let piece dry for a week ( 2 is better). Then rub the piece down with an automotive polishing compound, followed by an auto scratch remover, followed by an auto paste wax.
Good Luck, Bob
10-23-01, 10:27 AM
Bob, Thank you so much for taking the time and trouble to help me.
I really appreciate all the effort you have made, giving such a detailed response, to quite a long request for help with re-staining a dining table.
I look forward to putting your information to good use.
George davies.
I really appreciate all the effort you have made, giving such a detailed response, to quite a long request for help with re-staining a dining table.
I look forward to putting your information to good use.
George davies.
Bob The Boardman
10-24-01, 03:02 AM
Glad to help. Let us know how you make out.
Bob
Bob