I have a dresser ( 40's or 50' s vintage)that the top only needs to be
stripped, and refinished and the color is the typical deep red color
on mahogany. I need some input on the color I need to use, I normally
use Minwax but another brand is ok, and I also want to know how I can
closely get it to match the color of the original finish on the rest
of the piece. Age has darkened it somewhat and I thought there are
some experts out there to help me get it close, any suggestions?
Thanks,
Mike Francis
[email protected]
This is always the delema when restoring furniture. It's very unlikly that
you'll find an exact match in an off-the-shelf color. Minwax is fine. I use
it all the time. Whatever you do DON'T SAND the peice. Use a chemical
stripper. Sanding the peice will remove too moch color from the wood. What
type of stripper depends on the finish. I prefer methyline cloride. If your
peice is finished in shellac you may be able to stain just the scraches and
put a new coat of shelac on. It will melt into the old. If your stain
doesn't match excatly try adding some artist oils available at any art
supply store. If your stain dries a different than expcted. put a coat of
finish on is then spray with toners. There avalable at
woodworkerssupply.com. Wood magazine had an article recently about using
toners.
Jeremy
Check www.homesteadfinishing.com refinishing/restoration (or a name
similar) forum.
On 18 Feb 2004 10:21:24 -0800, [email protected] (Mike Francis)
wrote:
>I have a dresser ( 40's or 50' s vintage)that the top only needs to be
>stripped, and refinished and the color is the typical deep red color
>on mahogany. I need some input on the color I need to use, I normally
>use Minwax but another brand is ok, and I also want to know how I can
>closely get it to match the color of the original finish on the rest
>of the piece. Age has darkened it somewhat and I thought there are
>some experts out there to help me get it close, any suggestions?
>Thanks,
>Mike Francis
> [email protected]