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Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/Re-finishing a red oak table

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Expert: - 9/29/2009


Question
Hi Greg.  Long story short, we have purchased a solid red oak dining table in a light honey oak color about a month ago and had plans to buy chairs to re-finish.  We have since changed our mind and would like to now re-finish the table in a darker color (something close to a chocolate.  How do we go about this?  I am thinking of sanding the old finish off with a palm sander with 220 grit paper.  Then using a dark stain put on with a rag but I am not sure if this is correct or if I need to apply a sealer or topcoat of some sort after the stain.  Any help you can give us would be much appreciated.  Thank you.

Answer
Hi Brett, what you want to do is not easy, as to get Oak this dark takes special staining and finishing techniques, because it is so hard and dense. Sanding a finish is not the way to remove it, you'll need to strip it with a chemical stripper right down to the wood, then sand the surface smooth, down to 150-180 grit. More than that and you'll inhibit the penetration of the stain. The you'll need to get a dye based stain to hope to get your table that dark, and working with dye stains on a large surface area like a dining table is not recommended for the novice, as these are unforgiving and prone to lap marking and other issues. Then you'd likely follow with a second dye stain coat or perhaps a Gel stain, and then a few coats of a clear coat to add depth and durability to the finish.I wouldn't suggest this as a first project if you're not familiar with these products and techniques, as it's very possible to make a mess of your table. I would consult with a pro, and get an estimate from them, to see if it's something you could afford.....it's the type of thing better left to a Pro, or at least start with a smaller less critical Oak project from start to finish to get some experience with these techniques.....post back if need be- I'll be here- 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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