Expert: Eileen Cronk - 8/24/2007

Question
We also have the 80's golden oak kitchen.  I would like to restain everything.  We have oak paneling above the cabinet right up to the ceiling.  My question is 'Why do we not sand the oak?'.  If I just use a stripper, that will remove the old yellow/orange stain?  And then I can just stain with the new tint?  

Thanks!

Answer
Hi Leanne
Nice to hear from you.
Leanne this is a great question and it gives me a chance to explain about sanding vs. no sanding.
In all cases I say no sanding on antique furniture after stripping.
The only time its needed is if there are unsightly blemishes that must be removed. This always occurs on the top of furniture. The table top, the dresser top.
I further say, that the person who made the furniture I am stripping already sanded the piece to perfection.
Sanding old furniture causes the wood to lose that lovely satin feel. I call this patina. Some may disagree and say we remove the patina when we strip. This is true of course but what we have done is removed the finishes patina..not the woods patina. Sanding destroys the woods patina as well as removing the lovely color that wood acquires over the years. And it does take years.
So by stripping and sanding, what are you left with?
The answer is easy. You are left with a piece of furniture that looks like it was just made.
And an improperly done sanding job will not show up till the stain and finish are applied. Then you have a mess.
So why bother buying old furniture. Just go out and buy new.
Now lets apply the same principle to your oak cabinets.
Of course to change the color, you need to strip the existing finish...thats a given.
Now you have wood that is perfectly smooth.
Yes the oak will have aged in color. Twenty seven years worth of aging LOL. Thats a long time.
But why in the world would anyone want to start sanding this perfectly smooth wood?
Can you imagine trying to sand this oak down to the point where it looks like new oak. What a horrific job.
Think about it. It makes no sense.
So after stripping, you are ready to restain.
OK..lecture over LOL.
Good luck and a great question.
Regards
Eileen