Expert: Eileen Cronk - 8/4/2008

Question
I plan to refinish a railroad cargo cart. It has a deck of dried/faded oak planks fixed to heavy, rusted iron wheels. I desire a warm wood finish with dark accents. I especially desire a blackish color on the metal while maintaining its uneven/weathered texture. Any advice?

Answer
Hi David
Nice to hear from you.
Oak will naturally have dark accents after staining because of the grain.
As far as applying a stain to give you a warm wood finish with dark accents, its not possible.
It must be in the wood. And it is in yours.
Of course you can get any color you desire by sending the piece out to be lacquered with colors but I feel this would spoil what you want to achieve here.
So you have some testing to do David.
And do it on the underside of the cart.
Pick out several small cans of oil stain in the tones you like.
Do a test to determine your color choice.
I could tell you to get "this color" or "that color" but in this application on these faded oak planks I don't know nor does anyone know what color the stain will actually look like once applied until you test.
I can tell you however that faded oak as you describe will absorb a lot of stain. If you apply a walnut stain it will be very dark and it doesn't sound like you want that.
OK..I said I wouldn't tell you colors, but heres what I would try LOL.
Get a small can of Minwax "Special Walnut" color.
Also get a can of Minwax Golden oak color.
Start by mixing 1 part walnut to 3 parts golden oak (always use tablespoon measures and write it down so you can duplicate a large batch for your final stain.)
Do your test.
Too light? use more walnut. To dark? use more golden oak.
I think you get the idea.
I don't have enough info to advise on the wheels.
Are they painted now and badly worn?
Is the metal completely bare.
Is the metal rusted?
For rust clean with naval jelly available at the hardware.
And possibly all thats needed is this cleaning and a polish.
Get back to me.
Regards
Eileen