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Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/Stain a maple table
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Question
How can I stain a maple table to get it back to or near to it's original 1950's color? I scaped all the old finish off, but the oil based maple stain will not penetrate the wood. It is much too light in color.
I would appreciate any help you can give me. Thanks very much.
Hi Doyle, often those finishes were "toned", meaning they were sprayed with colored topcoats to produce the final color, often in conjunction with some type of staining. To penetrate hard Maple, a Dye stain is the way to go, and sometimes in conjunction with a pigmented stain as well. Gel stains offer better color strength than the typical oil stain, as well, and because they're in a polyurethane base, they will not "blotch" as much as other stains, and you can apply multiple coats after proper drying between each, to get a good color strength. I like the General waterborne Dyes, and the General Gels available at WoodCraft or online....just keep in mind that the nature of Dyes is unforgiving if you make an error in color selection, or make the piece too dark (or spill or splash them on something...). Hope that helps- post back if need be- Greg
http://www.woodcraft.com/Family/2020491/General-Finishes-Water-Based-Dyes-.aspx
http://www.woodcraft.com/Family/2005555/2005555.aspx
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| Rating(1-10) | Knowledgeability = 10 | Clarity of Response = 10 | Politeness = 10 |
| Comment | I certainly appreciate your help. I am not completely through with the little project, but it appears to be working out very well. I think I will need perhaps one more coat to achieve the color I want. Again, I would like to thank you for your help. Your answer to my question was quick and very precise. Doyle | ||
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Answers by Expert:
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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