Expert: Eileen Cronk - 5/13/2007

Question
QUESTION: Hello Eileen,
First I would like to thank you for offering your advice via this method.  I have asked a couple of people about restaining, but no one really has any clear answers.  I have a large red oak entertainment center that holds a 60inch projection screen TV, and I would like to restain it to a darker color, close to a cherry color or even darker.  What would the process be for this if it is at all possible.

Thankyou in advance for your assistance
ANSWER: Hi Chelley
Nice to hear from you.
OK Chelley I'll tell it like it is LOL....this is a heck of a big job.
First off the entire finish must be stripped off. Could be a poly product or lacquer (my guess is lacquer).
Some lacquers will not dissolve in paint stripper (been there tried it). Your only alternative then would be lacquer thinner. This is totally vile stuff to use and I have long since banished it from my shop (another story).
Next the question arises about the product the cabinet is made from. Are you 100% sure its real wood. It could be synthetic wood which you will ruin if you attempt to strip it. It also could be chip board with oak veneer over top. This can be refinished, but hardly worth the effort and work.
Now what you could have done would be to have the cabinet sprayed by a pro with a dark colored lacquer. You will lose a lot of the wood grain look but if you hate it the way it is, this is a possibility. And you could get your cherry color.
But a pro should look at this. Perhaps you have a solid oak cabinet here...who knows.
Thanks for a great question and the kind words..it makes doing this worthwhile.
Kindest Regards
Eileen



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks Eileen, this info wuz really helpful. I don't really know if it is 100% oak, so if not, then I guess I need to have a "pro" look at it, do you know of anyone in the Greenville NC. area that you might recommend.  If not, then could you explain a little more about the lacquer and can I do this myself???

Answer
Hi again Chelley
I am up here in Canada and would have no idea of anyone in NC.
Just pick up the phone book and look in wood working shops.
Any wood worker can tell real oak from imitation.
Chelly you cannot spray lacquer yourself.
You need a commercial sprayer and a paint parlor.
This would not be a big job for someone set up to do it.
And perhaps if you do the prep work yourself it will reduce the cost.
The prep would involve a process to deglaze the surface so the lacquer will stick. The shop will recommend that.
Hope this helps.
And you always have the option of painting if you hate the color that much.
Thanks again for writing
Kindest Regards
Eileen