On 1/1/2015 11:50 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


so any stain or pigment left in will have to be removed to get an even
color. You don't mention the wood.

Since it's an open pored wood it's more difficult. You have to sand it
deep enough, you might try oxalic acid to bleach and clean it out.

Stripping would be my first attempt and hoping that you can losen up the
stuff in the pores. It it a veneer or solid wood? I'm guessing solid.

Which means you can go after it more aggressively. Apply stripper, clean
it up using a toothbrush to get the pores clean
apply stripper,
clean it up using a stiff china hair toothbrush brush (see what you can
find from a womans beauty parlor, they use china hair brushes to apply
hair dyes to get the pores clean it's finer than the nylon brush and may
help dig out the pigment better.

apply stripper
clean it up.
neutralize the stripper.
apply oxalic acid
clean it up
neautraulize with boraxo soap.



--
Jeff