On 1/1/2015 10:50 AM, RonB wrote:
We are preparing to restore and refinish a couple of antique items--a dining table and a side-by-side that belonged to my grandparents. Both, especially the side-by-side, are in need of significant repair and being 'tightened up'. They are well over 100 years old; but preservation of antique finish and patina is not a concern. My parents refinished them in the 1960's with a standard strip, sand, stain-and varnish process. The key word above is "RESTORE."

The problem: We want the final color to be as close as possible to a set of chairs we ordered a few years ago. Also, I need to replace two of the table leafs so color matching is a real concern. The chairs were stained to a MinWax specification (Red Oak #215), but they ended up lighter than expected. That is the stain we plan to use during restoration.

The table is red, but darker. I am sure the stripping and sanding process will lighten the wood but the deep-bedded stain pigment is probably going to be a problem. I really don't want to go to the surface planer because the existing top is not that thick.

I think I am pretty well equipped and experienced to handle the woodworking and finishing problems. HOWEVER, does anyone have suggestions on getting the deep pigment out of the oak, or at least lightening it? Oh - By the way the table legs are rope-patterned :0)

Thank You
RonB


You may or may not want to worry with the dark pigment in the grain. It
is concentrated there and almost any other color stain will collect and
concentrate there too. I believer that the dominating color is going
that which is on top of the wood rather than that which is in the grain.
IMHO the new stain color will mostly be visible in the non grain areas
and will probably not be thrown off by that which is in the grain. Did
that make any sense at all. ;~)

You could try this out with different color stains on a scrap and see if
putting on one color, letting dry, and sand off a section and then
restaining a different color in that section to determine if that would
be tolerable or not.