Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/softwood mistake

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Expert: - 10/27/2009


Question
I tried staining my barewood pine kitchen table without using a wood conditioner (I didnt know) now I have big dark blotchy mess! Is there anything I can do to fix it?

Answer
Hi Diana
Nice to hear from you.
Before doing any sanding, use some paint stripper.
This will remove some of the stain but not all.
Then you must sand.
So get a small tin of an MC stripper (ask at the hardware), also get a box of medium steel wool pads (not SOS).
Apply a coat of stripper. Wait a few minutes and rag off.
Then while the wood is still wet, rub well with the steel wool. Work with the grain.
Let dry and see at that point if sanding is required. Hopefully not a lot. None if you're lucky.
Great Question
Regards
Eileen

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Eileen Cronk

Expertise

Hi..I can answer most questions about the repairing,stripping and refinishing of all your old furniture and wood items(the things we call antiques)I can give advice about what to buy/avoid at auctions/flea markets. I do not give appraisals on antiques.

Experience

I have been refinishing antiques for the past 30yrs. While I have taken several courses over the years,I have found that "hands on" learning is the best teacher. Perhaps I can help you avoid some of the mistakes I made while learning.

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