Expert: Eileen Cronk - 9/18/2008

Question
Dear Eileen,
I have recently been looking at purchasing an antique maple highboy dresser. It’s finish in pretty bad shape, but the overall beauty of the piece, its lines and the character of the wood is undeniable. I have two questions about refinishing this piece that I would like answered before I go ahead and buy it. First off, it is a very light coloured maple, and I was hoping to stain it something a little closer to cherry or walnut to match my bedroom set. I read one of your answers to someone that was looking to do something similar with a bed frame and a dresser and, having done this before and having your excellent instructions, have a handle on the stripping. I have worked on some projects like this before, but never on maple, and in doing some research, I came across several articles that suggest dyeing the wood before applying the stain. I have never even heard of a wood dye before, and am a little nervous at trying to do this, especially on an 80 to 90 year old piece of furniture with a beautiful patina. If the dyes do work, and it is a good idea to do this, if you would be able to give me tips on the application, and even on what to purchase, I would be grateful. If this would not be something you would recommend, if you could suggest an alternative to the dye that might enable me to get that cherry or walnut colour. Second question, this piece has little brass keyhole detailing on the drawers that is tarnished and even rusty in some spots. Is there a way to restore these details, or a way to replace them, if necessary? Thank you for any help you can provide!
Heather


Answer
Hi Heather
Nice to hear from you.
First off when we dye wood, that is the stain.
You do not dye the wood and stain after, although no harm would be done.
Wood dying is best left to a pro as its tricky and I cannot recommend you use it, but you could certainly do some testing of gel stain which is easier to apply.
My area is old things. Your 90 year old maple dresser is certainly that LOL.
All I can pass on to you is my experience.
And my experience with old maple is that it will take a stain nicely. New maple in most cases will not.
But there are things that you must NOT do.
The first is you must not sand the piece after stripping..Never.
When you sand you remove all the wonderful signs of age and all the natural color the wood develops over the years.
You will find lots of folks who will disagree with this but I stand by what I say. If a refinisher tells you that he's going to sand down your antique furniture before applying the finish..RUN LOL.
The second is you must not use a stripper that requires you to wash with water after stripping.
Use only an MC stripper.
You know the one I recommend.
It requires no afterwash.
The key hole covers actually respond well to the stripper and after they are well rubbed with steel wool will look like new.
No need to remove them to strip if they are just small.
Larger covers (escutcheon plates) should be removed.
Heather If you need my full stripping info write back.
The only other comment I would like to make is about your desired new color for this dresser.
Let this lovely old maple be just that. Don't attempt to make it cherry or walnut color (thats my two cents worth LOL).
Get back to me if needed
Kind Regards
Eileen