Expert: Eileen Cronk - 1/29/2009

Question
QUESTION: Eileen:

I have an old oak file cabinet from early 1900's.  It has been stained
previously and I want to take the finish back down to original -- and perhaps
give it a light oak stain.

Furniture stripper products are only removing the varnish that was applied
over the stain.

Is the only way to get the stain off is to sand it down?

Thanks,

David.

ANSWER: Hi David
Nice to hear from you
Is this the correct picture?
I see plywood sided drawers with what appears to be a plywood insert in the top drawer.
The ends appear to be maple.
Regardless of that, if this is the correct picture, the wood I see has had a dye stain applied to it at some point.
You will have to resort to bleaching the wood as you will sand a long time before you remove it.
Get back to me.
Regards
Eileen


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for the reply.

Actually, the drawers are not plywood.  They are a hardwood . . . I believe to
be oak.  The Slats that form the frame are also hardwood.

Originally, the file cabinet was stained with a very dark and thick stain . . .
probably from the early 1900's.  It was stripped, stained with an off the shelf
orange/fruitwood stain by someone.

I bought it at an old library sale 25 years ago.  Now  I want to take the time to
do this right.

I've tried Kleen Strip to remove the old varnish, but the only way I seem to be
able to get back down to the hardwood is by sanding.

Is there any stripper that will actually remove the stain . . . or has the stain
most likely gone beneath the surface?

Also, what bleaching product would you recommend?

I'd like to either take it down to the natural color or stain in again with a dark
cherry.

Ideas?

Thanks,

David

Answer
Hi again David
I would do one more final strip with an MC stripper.
Here is one I use
http://www.swingpaints.com/1806.htm
It should take the color off some more if this is not a dye stain.
And you say its not so this will get it a bit lighter.
More importantly it will make absolute sure all the top coat is gone which is a must before restaining.
Here is a great article on wood bleaching.
http://www.woodcentral.com/bparticles/woodbleach.shtml
I would use the two part wood bleach referred to as "peroxide bleaches" in the article.
This is readily available in hardware stores.
Your last question "Ideas?"
Since you asked LOL, I'll tell you my ideas.
First I would do the MC strip.
I would not even consider bleaching. Whatever color remains is OK in my opinion.
Next I would purchase some small cans of Minwax oil stains and do some color testing.
The orange fruitwood color certainly absorbed into the wood.
The stain you apply will too.
I would not use a dark cherry color, but your idea of going darker is sound. It will help hide any orange that remains (hopefully its not much).
I would first try Minwax Special Walnut color.
Hope this helps
Regards
Eileen