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Expert: - 10/18/2009


Question
Hi and thanks.  I have an antique oak fireplace mantle which was painted white.  I have had it stripped down to bare wood.  I want to stain it to have an old antique look. I tried dark walnut, but the color is not right.  Any advice?

Answer
Hi Patty, Old Oak is going to be challenging to stain without using good stains....what stain did you use? Usually to antique something like this, it's a good idea to use a couple different stains, one as a base color (a dye stain is a good choice here), and then a darker accent stain (or Glaze) to simulate age in carved areas, molded areas, creating a 'patina'. Gel stains excel at this, as they are thick as pudding, and have good color strength, are easily manipulated with a "dry" brush technique, and because they're in a polyurethane base, they dry predictably and set up quite hard. Then you would topcoat it with a poly, shellac, varnish, etc. depending on the look you're after. Some experimentation will definitely be in order to arrive at the proper methods and final look, and the stains can be thinned and manipulated in ways to arrive at different end results, and if you're not familiar with these techniques, I'd suggest NOT practicing on the Mantle itself....I like the General product line, Dye based and Gel stains,finishes, etc., and they can be found at WoodCraft.

http://www.woodcraft.com/Family/2020491/General-Finishes-Water-Based-Dyes-.aspx

http://www.woodcraft.com/Family/2005555/GENERAL-Gel-Top-Coat-and-Stains.aspx

Hope that helps- post back if need be, and it might help to do some "Google-ing" to understand and learn some of these techniques, and most Library's will have resources, too. These are learned techniques that go way beyond just opening a can of stain and brushing it on, but it's the way to a truly exceptional final result when done properly. Regards- Greg

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Greg Scholl

Expertise

Questions on Woodworking, wood finishing and refinishing of all kinds, repairing furniture and wooden objects, Architectural details, Woodturning, carving, tool usage, product usage, some chemistry as it applies to woodworking and related interests,cabinet making and furniture construction/design, etc. I have experience with all manners of colorants, finishes, paints, stains, dyes, glazes, and coatings, wood species recognition and usage,tool recommendations, blade types and recommendation,techniques and methods for many Woodworking related issues, etc.

Experience

Fine furniture restorer and cabinet maker for over 30 years,serving high end Antique dealers, Interior designers, Collectors in the CT area. Consulting for area Painting/Decorating and Building contractors on non painting issues..(staining, wood prep.,clear finishing, floor restoration and architectural detail restoration and repair, etc.) Sold, built, serviced, setup Home, Industrial, and Commercial stationary woodworking tools for a major tool retailer in CT. for three years, sold hand and power tools , provided knowledge, parts replacement, service, and on site service, Trade show Demo, and training as well.

Publications
Published in Fine Woodworking Magazine (12/97), included on Fine Woodworkings first "Best of Fine Woodworking" CD-ROM (2002) ...("27 year compilation of expert know-how")

Education/Credentials
Art School at Silvermine Guild in Norwalk, CT., 9 year apprenticeship in a European run Cabinet and Restoration shop in CT., various classes on subjects having to do with the field. Seminars from major Tool manufacturers, Skil/Bosch, Delta, Powermatic, Ritter, Porter cable, Milwaukee, Dewalt/B&Decker, Performax.

Past/Present Clients
Many varied clients including work on Martha Stewarts' Westport, CT. show house, many fine Antique dealers and private collectors in and around Fairfield County and in Woodbury, CT. (the Antiques capital of CT.), Golden Age of Trucking Museum, Wilton Historical Society.

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