Expert: Eileen Cronk - 10/19/2009

Question
I have done a lot of refinishing and I know that the project I am about to take on is going to be difficult.  I have a set of birch Conant Ball bedroom furniture that my mother left to my daughter. It needs to be refinished.  My daughter likes the color, which appears to be the varnish only, no stain under it.  Taking the finish off will leave the bare light wood.  I have never been successful in trying to stain birch. Is there a trick that will restore the color of the old darkened varnish that is on these pieces? This is a home project, no spray gun.
Thanks for any help... Rosalie

Answer
Hi Rosalie
Nice to hear from you.
If this furniture is birch (not maple), it will take a stain fine.
Thats been my experience with birch at least. I find it takes a stain beautifully.
Maple on the other hand will not absorb stain. But there again I find old maple takes a stain beautifully. Did you get a positive ID on the wood?
While I don't like using it, perhaps you could use a poly that contains stain. This is likely your best bet if the wood will not take stain.
Minwax Polyshades is such a product. Easy to find along with the clear polys.
You can also use a gel stain which colors better than say a Minwax oil stain.
So you have several alternatives. But get the stripping done and experiment a bit with different products.
And let me know how it goes.
Kind Regards
Eileen