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Hi,
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I ordered a cabinet for under my tv. I love the style and the finish was advertised as dark oak,,, well let me tell you,,, it is orange!! It is the pre fab type of furniture that you put together. Not solid wood that could be sanded down and refinished. Do you have any suggestions of how to make the orange less apparent. I was thinking of maybe Poly Shades by Minwax. Regular stain would just sit on the top and not soak in. I have refinished many antiques, but don't have any experience with something like this that already has a factory finish. I am including a picture of the piece. It is much more orange than shown. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you for your time,
Sue
Hi Sue, Polyshades is a polyurethane, and should not be used over other finishes, unless you know what the finish is.....much of this stuff is finished with a catalyzed, sprayed on finish (lacquer or urethane varnish). It's usually quite thin and very hard, and therefore trying to add something over the top risks adhesion issues, etc. You probably could tone it with a lacquer toner, but that, like the Polyshades, won't make a drastic difference...only darken it a little.There is no way to really darken a piece like this without being able to strip the original finish down to bare wood. Staining, (especially dark colors on hard wood), needs to be done at the wood level. Toning techniques ,(applying colored clear coats), can only subtly change hues and deepen colors slightly. It isn't suitable for major color changes like you're looking for, and to even attempt it, it would need to be sprayed. I wouldn't call that Dark Oak either, and I would have definitely sent it back if that's what you were shown or wanted......wish I could be of more help- Post back if need be- Greg
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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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