Expert: Eileen Cronk - 8/21/2009

Question
I have recently purchased a beautiful oak table that is a honey oak color.  I have 8 oak antique chairs that are stained with a very dark stain.  I would like to strip the dark stain off and re-finish it in a honey oak to match the table.  I thought maybe sandblasting would be best as there is intricate detailing on the chairs.  Will I be able to get the dark stain off without gouging the wood?  What do you recommend to re-finish it with if I am successful at getting the dark stain off.  The table and chairs are both red oak.

Answer
Hi Brett
Nice to hear from a fellow Canadian
If you even think about sandblasting these chairs I'll never speak to you again LOL..Don't do it.
Its likely you have pressed back oak chairs which you can safely strip of their finish and apply a lighter oak color.
But you must use paint stripper to get all the old dark finish off.
Then I would apply a Minwax oil stain in Golden oak color (just guessing at the color without seeing the table), and finally 3 or 4 coats of tung oil in a satin sheen.
Both the stain and oil are applied with a rag.
I use only Circa 1850 low luster tung oil which is available at all Home Hardware stores in Canada.
Regards
Eileen