Expert: Greg Scholl - 11/1/2008

Question
QUESTION: I'm trying to restore the top of a damaged coffee table from the 1950s, but I haven't been able to figure out how to recreate the finish. I got a stain mixed that more or less matches the color, but I haven't been able to get the right texture. The table (in the parts I didn't strip) has a really nice soft, almost milky finish (a rich, orangey brown), in which the grain is really subdued. It's almost like a slightly transparent paint. The part I'm trying to stain, however, is coming out much more course and all the little speckles in the grain really stand out. I'd like to know how to get closer to the softer appearance of the original? Should I be using something other than stain? Shellac or gel? If so, will it be possible to get the right color?

ANSWER: Hey Chris, what you're describing sounds like a "Heywood Wakefield" type of finish, which is quite difficult to reproduce, even for a pro. These were comprised of the "toning" techniques you see us talking about fairly often here. Toning is the use of pigmented and/or Dye based color coats,(pigmented in these), sprayed over a stained surface to give you that look. The original finishes were Varnish, according to my research, but there have been many similar finishes that appear to be lacquer based, and I have used lacquer toners to do these finishes. There where two basic colors that were most common,"Champagne" and "Wheat" in the true Heywood Wakefield line. As you're finding out, it can't be reproduced with oil stain alone. The closest match would require the use of a base stain,(depending on the wood, and the color of the original), and then lacquer toners available in aerosol cans, or perhaps one of the kits that are manufactured for reproducing this finish. They tend to be expensive for what you get, though. Unfortunately, it takes a bit of skill and technical expertise to not only do these types of finishes, but to be able to choose the colors of the stains and toners to match the original, and therefore I can't really guide you in the exact direction or methods from here. Below are some links to get you started, hope that helps a little- post back if need be- regards- Greg
http://retrorenovation.com/2008/07/11/how-to-refinish-heywood-wakefield-furnitur

http://www.werefinish.com/heywood_wakefield_refinishing_ki.htm

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QUESTION: Greg,
I really appreciate it. It would have taken me a long time to piece this together. The wood appears to be birch, but unfortunately the color is quite a bit darker than the usual Heywood Wakefield tones. You're right about the similar qualities of texture, though. The table was made by Russel Wright/Conant Ball in 1952. If only I could find someone selling those kinds of kits, I'd be all set. Is it worth trying to get another piece of birch to experiment with, or would it be too different from the original? Also, who makes the aerosol lacquer toners you refer to? Thanks again. Chris

Answer
Hey Chris, have you searched to see if by any chance the company still exists? Lacquer toners can be found here:
http://woodworker.com/cgi-bin/FULLPRES.exe?PARTNUM=851-078&search=Finishes%20-%2

A new piece of Birch would be different, but it would still give you the opportunity to develop some of these techniques...although you can do it on the piece as well...you can always strip it again, that's one nice thing about refinishing, (unless you've used a Dye stain), you can always redo it.

Toning is used by a whole range of furniture and cabinet manufacturers, and makes it difficult to match these finishes unless you know and understand the techniques...Also over time, wood changes with UV light and oxidation, etc., so that also has an affect on the overall appearance, so even if you found a "kit" it may not be an exact match. These are the intricacies of furniture restoring/refinishing that keep people like myself in business, if it was easy, and everyone could do it....then I'd be out of a job....it's often not easy, and requires quite a bit of knowledge, skill, and experience, as you're learning...regards- ..Greg