Expert: Eileen Cronk - 3/8/2008

Question
We live in a circa 1910 house with lots of fairly ornate woodwork that is kind of yellow in color. Some of it needs refinishing. I have been told it is paint with a stain applied. Is there a way to repair the finish or do we need to strip it all and start over? If so, is there a simpler method as there is a LOT of woodwork in this house.

Answer
Hi Joyce
Nice to hear from you.
A few years back I worked on a restoration of a century home that had this type of finish on the woodwork.
It was in fact as you describe..a paint with a stain over it.
We had to duplicate some missing trim and a local high end paint store actually carried the products to do this.
The first was a coat of paint in the most awful mustard yellow color you ever saw.
The next step was applying a colored glaze with a coarse brush.
This made the trim look like wood.
So there will be no need to do any stripping if you can find this product.
I am up in Canada so cannot advise who may carry this product but look at the high end paint stores in your area.
If memory serves (it doesn't always LOL), there were quite a few color choices so hopefully you can get a match.
Good luck with this.
Kindest Regards
Eileen