Expert: Eileen Cronk - 8/11/2007

Question
Eileen,
I have a Lane dresser that I purchased in 1963.  Obviously, it needs refinishing.  I have refinished many oak pieces, with sandpaper and spar varnish or polyurethane, but this dresser is not oak.  I'm not sure what wood it is, but when I sand it, the sawsdust is reddish, so it may be mahogany and it is veneer, not solid wood.  When I applied the first coat of polyurethane to the top of the dresser, it was very sticky for several days, and I had to remove that coat of varnish with mineral spirits (and even a razor blade).  I thinned the polyurethane for subsequent coats and the final result was acceptable after four coats.  I think the problem may have been that the original finish was something other than a varnish.  Now, I want to refinish the drawer fronts.  Is there a better way to do that?
Thanks for your help.
Karen


Answer
Hi Karen
Nice to hear from you.
I cannot imagine what happened with the dresser top if the original finish was completely removed with stripper.
You do not specifically say that, but did you fully strip the top?
If the answer is yes, then the culprit is the poly you used.
Poly must be very fresh and my experience is you cannot keep it around long.
So to answer you question of a better way, the only correct way is stripping, staining, and a new finish applied.
Now lets discuss finishing LOL
Under no circumstances should poly products be applied to old furniture. I realize your dresser is not that old, but never poly.
The only instance I recommend poly is on newly constructed pieces, or on table tops that will get a lot of use.
I recommend several coats of tung oil applied with a rag for us do it your selfers, but its also "the finish of choice" for refinishers.
Hope this helps and thanks for a great question
Regards
Eileen