I'm currently trying to restore an old Everett reed/electic organ cabinet,
it was in awful shape when I obtained it, but I thought it was worth
restoring due to its rarity. Most of the veneer was peeled and there wasn't
much left of the original finish, so the only option was to completely
restore it from scratch. I was able to reglue most of the original veneer,
and the rest was replaced with new walnut. Now for the tricky part; I'd like
to replicate the original finish as closely as possible. I know from
experience that simply staining the wood isn't enough - the original finish
contained some kind of darkening agent in the varnish itself.
The best idea I can come up with is this; stain the wood as usual, but add
something to the varnish (Varathane, actually) to darken it. Is it possible
to darken it with paint? If so, what kind of paint would mix best with the
varnish, and what would be a proper mixing ratio?
Thanks for any advice.

Consider Minwax polyshades.
It is essentially tinted varnish.

"Toller" wrote in message
...
Consider Minwax polyshades.
It is essentially tinted varnish.
mix in some "universal "color ,probably a little black. Before using make
samples to acertain how much colorant to add....mjh

Chris F. wrote:

I'm currently trying to restore an old Everett reed/electic organ cabinet,
it was in awful shape when I obtained it, but I thought it was worth
restoring due to its rarity. Most of the veneer was peeled and there wasn't
much left of the original finish, so the only option was to completely
restore it from scratch. I was able to reglue most of the original veneer,
and the rest was replaced with new walnut. Now for the tricky part; I'd like
to replicate the original finish as closely as possible. I know from
experience that simply staining the wood isn't enough - the original finish
contained some kind of darkening agent in the varnish itself.
The best idea I can come up with is this; stain the wood as usual, but add
something to the varnish (Varathane, actually) to darken it. Is it possible
to darken it with paint? If so, what kind of paint would mix best with the
varnish, and what would be a proper mixing ratio?
Thanks for any advice.


I tint water based finishes with water soluble dyes. For varnish (poly)
use universal tints. For shellac, use alcohol soluble dyes (but they
aren't as light fast).

Another approach is to spray on as many coats of dye as it takes to get
the depth of color you need.

Dave

I've tried Polyshades before, but they aren't dark enough for replicating
these old finishes......

"Toller" wrote in message
...
Consider Minwax polyshades.
It is essentially tinted varnish.

Chris F. wrote:
I'm currently trying to restore an old Everett reed/electic organ cabinet,
it was in awful shape when I obtained it, but I thought it was worth
restoring due to its rarity. Most of the veneer was peeled and there wasn't
much left of the original finish, so the only option was to completely
restore it from scratch. I was able to reglue most of the original veneer,
and the rest was replaced with new walnut. Now for the tricky part; I'd like
to replicate the original finish as closely as possible. I know from
experience that simply staining the wood isn't enough - the original finish
contained some kind of darkening agent in the varnish itself.
The best idea I can come up with is this; stain the wood as usual, but add
something to the varnish (Varathane, actually) to darken it. Is it possible
to darken it with paint? If so, what kind of paint would mix best with the
varnish, and what would be a proper mixing ratio?
Thanks for any advice.



H. Behlen Bros. makes aerosol toners (Master Toner) in an assortment of
different colors for such a purpose. See:

http://finishsupply.com/BehlenAerosol2.html

--
Jack Novak
Buffalo, NY - USA

(Remove -SPAM- to send email)

Visit www.homesteadfinishing.com and look at their TransTint dyes that
mix with many solvents including water. Flecto makes a waterbased
Varathane. Dyes don't hide grain like pigmented paints and some
stains do.

On Sun, 13 Nov 2005 18:31:10 GMT, "Chris F."
wrote:

I'm currently trying to restore an old Everett reed/electic organ cabinet,
it was in awful shape when I obtained it, but I thought it was worth
restoring due to its rarity. Most of the veneer was peeled and there wasn't
much left of the original finish, so the only option was to completely
restore it from scratch. I was able to reglue most of the original veneer,
and the rest was replaced with new walnut. Now for the tricky part; I'd like
to replicate the original finish as closely as possible. I know from
experience that simply staining the wood isn't enough - the original finish
contained some kind of darkening agent in the varnish itself.
The best idea I can come up with is this; stain the wood as usual, but add
something to the varnish (Varathane, actually) to darken it. Is it possible
to darken it with paint? If so, what kind of paint would mix best with the
varnish, and what would be a proper mixing ratio?
Thanks for any advice.