AboutEileen Cronk Expertise Hi..I can answer most questions about the repairing,stripping and refinishing of all your old furniture and wood items(the things we call antiques)I can give advice about what to buy/avoid at auctions/flea markets. I do not give appraisals on antiques.
Experience I have been refinishing antiques for the past 30yrs. While I have taken several courses over the years,I have found that "hands on" learning is the best teacher. Perhaps I can help you avoid some of the mistakes I made while learning.
Question QUESTION: Hi, We have just installed a natural red oak hardwood floor & my kitchen cabinets look old even though they are only about 12 years old! they were honeyed oak and where beautiful but over the years have gone a dark brown colour is there any way to lighten them up?
ANSWER: Hi Pamela
Nice to hear from you.
Sorry this is late. Bad storm knocked out our power for 24 hrs.
There certainly is a way to lighten your cupboards.
Stripping, restaining and a new finish applied.
Oak cupboards would certainly be worth doing even though its time consuming.
Do you require my instructions for doing this, and have you had experience with this work before?
Get back to me as I will help all I can from this end.
Kindest Regards
Eileen
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QUESTION: Hi Eileen, thanks for getting back to me I would like instructions,
but is there anything easier? I saw on the internet three products called BRIWAX, ORGANIC STRIPPER BY BIO WASH & RESTORZ-IT, have you heard of any these products?
Pam.
Answer Hi again Pam
The Bri wax, and Restorz-it will not make the cupboards lighter as you want. I know of the Restorz-it and hear good things about it but it will not lighten wood.
Bri wax is simply furniture wax.
The organic stripper you mention will remove the finish and allow you to restain.
Here are my instructions for stripping wood.
The first thing you must do is assemble the material to do the job.
The stripper is the most important item.
The stripper I use is my Home Hardware house brand, but I think that you would not have Home Hardware if you are in the states.
I am hoping you could have CIRCA brand paint and varnish remover there.
MATERIAL LIST For the stripping stage.
1 gallon stripper
6 boxes of Bull Dog steel wool in medium grade.
One 3 inch oil based paint brush.
Rubber gloves (like you do dishes with)
An empty large coffee can. (for the stripper)
A couple of old tooth brushes.
Lots of old rags (I like t-shirts or cotton but for this first stage whatever you have)
Lots of newspaper to protect the garage floor
LOTS OF VENTILATION
HERES WHAT YOU DO...
Work in sections.
Brush on the stripper with the brush. Stripper will quit working if it dries, so keep it wet till the finish softens.
Then take a rag and wipe this mess off.
Then another coat of stripper, rag off again, then while the wood is still wet, take the steel wool and rub with the grain till the wood is nice and clean.
Use the toothbrush in crevices.
Thats all there is to it ...move to another section and continue.
No other prep is necessary...and DO NOT SAND. When the stripping is complete, apply your stain and top coats.
Please let me know if anything is not 100% clear. I'm here if you need help.
Good Luck
Eileen
