Finishing&RefinishingWood

Techniques&ProjectsforFineWoodFinishes

CreativePublishinginternational,Inc.400FirstAvenueNorth,Suite300

Minneapolis,MN554011-800-328-0590

www.creativepub.com

Contents

Introduction

WhyRefinish?

RefinishingWood:AStep-by-stepOverview

Evaluating&Planning

EvaluatingFurniture

EvaluatingWoodFloors

EvaluatingWoodwork

IdentifyingOldFinishes

SelectingaNewFinish

ToolsforFinishing

Safety,Cleanup&Disposal

RefinishingBasics

RemovingOldFinishes

MakingBasicRepairs

PreparingfortheFinish

ColoringWood

PaintingWood

ApplyingTopcoats

Hardware&Accessories

CaseStudies

RockingChair

SewingMachineCabinet

DiningChair

ReproductionMissionFinish

ChestofDrawers

Frame-and-panelCabinet

CedarChest

AntiqueMantelClock

Tip-TopTable

MusicCabinet

AntiqueRadioConsole

Double-hungWindow

Woodwork&Door

WoodFloor

SchoolDesks

Maintenance&QuickFixes

Index

Introduction

Anoldrockingchair,awell-usedcedarchest,ahardwoodfloorthathaslostitsluster—anywhereyoulookaroundyourhome,youarelikelytofindapotentialrefinishingproject.Buteventhemostardentdo-it-yourselfersoftendrawthelineatrefinishing.Theyhaveavisionofrefinishingthatisfilledwithmessy,harshchemicalsandendlesssandingandscraping.Inreality,refinishingandfinishingwoodisamanageableprocessthatcanyieldprofessional-qualityresultswithsurprisinglylittlemessandfussifyouusetherighttoolsandtechniques.

Refinishingfurnitureisanadventure.Itbeginsinattics,antiquestores,oratgaragesales;usuallywiththequestion,“Wouldn’tthatlookniceif...?”Andthemoreinvolvedyoubecomeinaproject,themorequestionsyouencounter:HowcanIunlockthepotentialofthatoldsewingcabinet?Whatisthebestwaytosandthegroovesonarockingchairspindle?ShouldIusechemicalsoraheatguntoremovetheoldfinishonmyantiqueclock?

theoldfinishonmyantiqueclock?

Finishing&RefinishingWoodgivesyoualltheinformationyouneedtobringnewlifeandalastingfinishtofurniture,floors,andwoodwork.Ittakesyouthrougheveryphaseoftherefinishingandfinishingprocess:evaluatingoldfurnitureandfinishestodeveloparefinishingstrategy;makingminorrepairslikefillinggougesandregluingjoints;removinganoldfinishwithaheatgunorchemicalstripper;finishsandingandfillingwoodgrain;coloringandtopcoatingnewandstrippedwood;revampinghardwareandotheraccessories;andmore.

Wealsogiveyouthemostup-to-dateinformationonnewrefinishingandfinishingproductsthataresafertouseandsaferfortheenvironment.Disposal,safety,andcleanupissuesareexaminedindetail.

Asaspecialbonus,Finishing&RefinishingWoodcontainsasectionfeaturing15separatecasestudiesthattakethemysteryoutofrefinishing.Thesectionleadsyoustep-by-stepthroughtherefinishingprocess,providinginsightintothedecisionsthatmakeanyprojectasuccess.Youwillfindclearexamplesaddressingthesamechallengesyouarefacing—andofferingsolutionsformeetingthosechallenges.

Fromcleaningadirtywaxfinish,torepairing,stripping,sanding,andrefinishinganoldpieceoffurniture,theskillsyoulearninFinishing&RefinishingWoodaredo-it-yourselfabilitiesthatyouwilluseagainandagaintoaddvalueandrestorebeautytoyourworn-but-sturdywoodworkandfurniture.

NOTICETOREADERS

Thisbookprovidesusefulinstructions,butwecannotanticipateallofyourworkingconditionsorthecharacteristicsofyourmaterialsandtools.Forsafety,youshouldusecaution,care,andgoodjudgmentwhenfollowingtheproceduresdescribedinthisbook.Consideryourownskilllevelandtheinstructionsandsafetyprecautionsassociatedwiththevarioustoolsandmaterialsshown.NeitherthepublishernorBlack&Decker®canassumeresponsibilityforanydamagetopropertyorinjurytopersonsasaresultofmisuseoftheinformationprovided.ConsultyourlocalBuildingDepartmentforinformationonbuildingpermits,codes,andotherlawsastheyapplytoyourproject.

WhyRefinish?

Restorelostbeauty.Anewfinishandafewnewaccessoriesgivefreshlifetoaforgottenpieceoffurniture.Pages122to123.

Refinishingwoodismorethanjustanotherdo-it-yourselfskill.Practicalskillslikecarpentry,plumbing,orwiringhelpyousavemoneyandmakesureyourhomeimprovementsaredonetherightway.Butgivingnewlifetoanoldrockingchairbytransformingitfromaneyesoretoacenterpiecegivesyouaspecialsenseofsatisfaction.

Studieshaveshownthatmostpeoplewhohavemadeahobbyofrefinishingarenotinitforanykindoffinancialadvantage.Theydoitbecauseitisfun.Asuccessfulrefinishingprojectbringsouttheartist,historian,andthecreativecaretakerineventhemostpractical-mindeddo-it-yourselfer.Mostpeoplewhosuccessfullycompleteonerefinishingprojectbecomehooked—theyenjoyitenoughtotakeonadditionalprojects.

Beyondthefeelingsoffunandprideinspiredbytheprocess,therearemanypracticalbenefitstorefinishingandfinishingwood.Awell-executedrefinishingjobcanincreasethevalueofaworn-outarticle.Buyingfinefurnitureintheroughandrefinishingitisaninexpensivewaytodecorateyourhome.Andrefinishingoldfurnitureisanexcellentformofrecycling—notonlydoesiteliminatethedisposalproblem,italsopreservesresourcesthatwouldbeusedtocreateareplacement.

Anewfinishmakesyourfavoriteoldfurniturelastlongerbyprotectingitfrommoisture,heat,andspills.Increasingyourunderstandingofwoodfinishesgivesyouallthebackgroundyouneedtoproperlymaintainandcareforwood.

Uncoverburiedtreasure.Aplainpaintedcabinetisunmaskedtorevealfinefurniture.Pages104to105.

Unleashpotential.AchairplaguedbyloosejointsandlayersofoldpaintistransformedintoaclassicAmericanantique.Pages102to103.

Putafinefinishonnewwood.Anunfinished,kit-builttablegetsafirst-classfinishtreatment.Pages118to119.

Maketheordinaryextraordinary.Aplainpinedressergetsaserioussprucingup.Pages110to111.

Extendalife.Acedarchestconfinedtobasementstoragedutybecomesashowpiece.Pages114to115.

Preserveanheirloom.Achestnutdresserwithhand-cutdovetailjointsonthedrawershasbeeninthefamilyforyears.Afreshnewfinishensuresthatitwillbeinthefamilyforgenerationstocome.Pages12to13.

Maketimeforfun.Aquickcleanupandsomecreativityexcitetheimaginationandsaveavaluableantique.Pages116to117.

Stepoutinstyle.Aframe-and-panelcabinetisdresseduptoshowcaseitsdistinctivestyling.Pages112to113.

Makeahouseahome.Refinishedfloors,woodwork,anddoorsbrightenadrearyroom.Pages126to133.

RefinishingWood:AStep-by-stepOverview

Evaluatethepotentialprojectbeforeyoustart.Lookforgoodwood,solidconstructionandothersignsthatindicateastronglikelihoodofsuccess.

Thisoverviewsequenceshowsthebasichow-tostepsinamajorrefinishingproject—fromevaluatingpotentialprojectstoattachingthelastpieceofhardware.Yourownrefinishingorfinishingprojectmayrequireallthesesteps,orperhapsonlyafew.Tohelpdeterminewhichstepsyourplannedprojectrequires—andhowtoaccomplishthem—browsethroughtheCaseStudiessectionattheendofthisbook.

HowtoRefinishWood:aStep-by-stepOverview

1Removetheoldfinish.Heatstripping,chemicalstripping,andsandingaretheprimarymethodsforremovinganoldfinish.Mostprojectsrequiremorethanoneremovalmethod.

2Makebasicrepairs.Fixingproblems,liketheloosestretchersweregluedhere,ensuresthatyourcompletedprojectwillbesturdyaswellasbeautiful.

3Prepareforthefinish.Fixingflawslikedentsandgougesthenthoroughlyfinishsandingareessentialstepsincreatingasmoothsurfacesuitableforstainingandtopcoating.

4Colorthewood.Usepenetratingoilorstaintoenrichagrainpattern,createapleasingcolor,oreventohideflawsinthewood.Insomecases,paintisusedinsteadofstainforamoredecorativeappearance.Or,youmayprefertoskipthewood-coloringstepaltogetherandletthenaturalcolorandbeautyofthewoodspeakforitself.

5Applyatopcoat.Ahard,clearfinishlayerappliedoverthewoodprotectsitfrommoistureandscratches,sealsinthecolor,andaddsdepthtothefinish.

6Completetheproject.Refurbishorreplacehardwareandotheraccessoriestoprovidethefinaltouchtoarefinishingproject.

Evaluating&Planning

Removehardwareandotherattachmentsfrompaintedfurnitureandwoodworktouncoverusefulinformationabouttheoldfinishandthetypeandconditionofthewood.

Potentialrefinishingprojectscanbefoundinvirtuallyeveryhome,garage,andantiquestore.Butthefactthatapieceoffurnitureorafloorisoldorwornoutdoesnotnecessarilymakeitagoodcandidateforrefinishing.Thewoodcouldbedamagedbeyondrepair,orthefinishmaybetoostubborntoberemovedcompletely.Manytimes,strippingapieceoffurnitureonlyrevealsthatthepaintwasthereforareason—tocoverdamagedorunattractivewood.Butforeveryprojectthatisariskyrefinishingchoice,thereisanotherthathasthepossibilityofgreatsuccess.Learningtodistinguishbetweenawisechoiceandawasteoftimeissimplyamatterofknowingwhattolookfor.

Thissectionshowsyousomewarningsignsandsomeindicatorsofgoodpotential.Wetellyouhowtoestimatewhatcertainproblemsmeanintermsoftime,expense,andlikelihoodofsuccess.Buttheultimatedecisiononwhetherornottoproceedwithaprojectisuptoyou:keepinmindthatsometimesthemostill-advisedprojectturnsoutwonderfully—especiallyifithassentimentalvaluetotherefinisher.

Onceyouhavechosenarefinishingorfinishingproject,makeaplan.Havinganewfinishinmindhelpsyoumakedecisions,likechoosingafinish-removalmethod,ordetermininghowthoroughlytosandthewood.Onceyoudecidewhatrepairsneedtobemade,forexample,youcanmoreaccuratelyestimatethetimecommitmentandcostoftheproject.Butstayflexiblewhenplanning.Refinishingisfullofsurprises,andplansinevitablyrequiremodificationasyoulearnmoreaboutyourproject.

THISSECTIONSHOWS:

EvaluatingFurnitureEvaluatingWoodFloorsEvaluatingWoodworkIdentifyingOldFinishesSelectingaNewFinishFinishingToolsSafety,Cleanup&Disposal

EvaluatingFurniture

Evaluatingpotentialfurniturerefinishingprojectsisbasicallyafour-stepprocess:1)studythewoodtoidentifythetypeandassessitsgeneralcondition;2)evaluatestructuralsoundnessandidentifyneededrepairs;3)evaluatetheconditionofthewoodsurfacestodetermineifanattractivefinishispossible;4)evaluatetheconditionofthefinishtodecideifitneedstobestrippedoff,orifcleaningandafewquickfixeswillbringitbacktolife.

Alsoconsidertheageandvalueofthepotentialproject.Ifitisavaluableantique,youprobablyshouldnotchooseitasyourfirstrefinishingexperiment.

Basedonyourevaluation,makeadecisionabouttheproject:isthefinalresultlikelytobeworththeeffort?

Partiallystripfinishinaninconspicuousareasoyoucanexaminethewoodmoreclosely(stripalargeenoughsectiontoallowyoutoevaluatehoweffectivelythechemicalstripperdissolvesthepaint,too).

TipsforEvaluatingFurniture

Lookforwrittenclueslikeamanufacturer’sname,adate,oraplaceoforigin,tohelpyouestablishtheage,value,andfinishtype.Insomecases,apreviousownermayhaveleftacluebehind,likeareceipt,anoldpieceofnewspaperliningadrawer,oranotedetailingthehistoryofthepiece.Ifyoususpectthepotentialprojectisanantique,haveitappraisedbyaprofessionalbeforeyoudoanythingwithit.

Examinehiddenareasforinformationaboutthewoodandthequalityoftheworkmanship.Examiningthisdresserdrawer,forexample,revealedhand-cutdovetailjointsthatwerestillsturdyaftermorethan100yearsofwear—suresignsthedresserwasbuiltwithcare.NOTE:Theremaybeseveraltypesofwoodinasinglepieceoffurniture,sodonotbaseallyourconclusionsonjustonearea.

HowtoEvaluatePotentialRefinishingProjects

1Evaluatethewood.Thetypeofwoodusedinapieceoffurniturehasagreateffectonitsvalueanditssuitabilityasarefinishingproject.Thetwocabinetsshownaboveareaboutthesamesizeandtheyusethesametypeofjoinery,butthesimilaritiesendthere.Onecabinet(left)looksoldandbattered,butitismadeofsturdyhardwood,sothechancesofrevivingitaregood.Theother(right)isbuiltfromparticleboardso,despitethepresenceofhardwoodveneer,itsprospectsofwithstandingarefinishingjobarenotgood.Becausethejointsaresturdy,however,itisagoodcandidateforpainting.

2Evaluatethestructuralsoundness.Ifapotentialprojectisplaguedwithmanyloosejointsandhasobviouslybeenrepairedinthepast,thenthereisabasicstructuralproblemwiththepiece.Thetwopressbackrockingchairsaboveeachshowsignsofwear.Onechair(left)hasacrackintheseatthatwillrequiresomerepair,butthewoodaroundthecrackandatthejointsissolid.Afewrepairshavebeenattemptedalready,buttheyhavenotcausedanymajorproblems,sothechairlikelycanbereclaimed.Theotherrocker(right)alsohasacrackedseat,butthewoodhasdegeneratedaroundthedamagedarea,andineffectiverepaireffortscausedfurthersplinteringanddamagetothewood.Becausetheseatwouldhavetobereplaced,refinishingtherockerisprobablynotworththeeffort.

3Evaluatetheconditionofthewoodsurfaces.Afewsurfaceproblems,includingsmalldentsandcracks(left),looseveneer(center),orsmallburns(right),allcanberemediedeasily.Afewsuchproblemsshouldnotdisqualifyaprojectfromconsideration.Butmakingtoomanysurfacerepairswilladdconsiderablytothetimetheprojectrequires,andyoumaywellbedisappointedwiththeresult—disguisingsurfacerepairs,especiallythoserequiringwoodputty,isaverytrickyjob.Withnewer,solidwoodfurniture,however,youmaybeabletoresurfaceflatsurfacesthatareinpoorconditionusingabeltsander.

4Evaluatetheconditionofthefinish.Itisamistaketoassumethatjustbecausethefinishlookswornitneedstobereplaced.Especiallyonantiquefurniture,removingtheoldfinishcancausesignificantdevaluation.Afewfinishblemishes,likewaterstains(left),canbetreatedeasilywiththerighttechniques,preservingtheoldfinish.Moreseverefinishproblems,likealligatoredshellac(right)usuallyrequirefullfinishremoval.

EvaluatingWoodFloors

Theconditionofyourfloorboardsistheprimaryfactorindecidingifrefinishingwillbesuccessful.Lookforsignsofrot,especiallyaroundpipes,radiators,andwindows.Replacingfloorboardsishardwork,andgettingagoodmatchisdifficult.Alsocheckfordipsorvalleys,especiallyinhigh-trafficareas.Evaluatetheoverallevennessofthefloors—rollagolfballormarbleacrossthefloorinseveralspotsandseehowitbehaves.Visually,unevenfloorsmaynotseemlikeabigproblem,buttheyarenext-to-impossibletosandbecausefloorsandersdonotfollowdipsandvalleys.

Ifyourfloorisfairlyevenandfundamentallysound,yournextstepistodecidewhethertoresurfaceorchemicallystriptheoldfinish.Manyhomeownershavecometoequate“doingyourfloors”withsandingthesurfacedowntobarewood,butoftenchemicalstrippingisamoreefficientmethodthatyieldsbetterresults.Withunevenfloors,parquetfloors,veneeredflooringproducts,andfloorsthathavealreadybeenresurfaced,youronlydo-it-yourselfrefinishingoptionistochemicallystripthefinish.Resurfacefloorsonlyifmanyscratches,gouges,andstainshaveaffectedthefloorboards.

Removelayersofwaxandgrimesoyoucanseethetrueconditionoffloor.Often,asimplecleaningwithmineralspiritsisallthe“refinishing”afloorneeds.

TipsforEvaluatingWoodFloors

Identifythetypeofflooringproduct.Standard1”-thickhardwoodfloorboardscanwithstandoneortworesurfacingprojectswithadrumsander,butsomenewerflooringproductscanonlybechemicallystripped—theysimplydonothaveenoughwoodtowithstandresurfacing.Sandingparquetflooringrequiresspecialsandersandisajobforprofessionals.Otherwise,itshouldbechemicallystripped.

Lookforsignsofpastresurfacing.Inexperiencedfloorrefinishersoftenremovemuchmorewoodthanisnecessarywhentheypower-sandafloor.Looknearbaseboardsandradiatorsforsandingridgeswherethepowersandercouldnotreach.Ifsandingridgesarevisible,youprobablydonothaveenoughwoodremainingabovethetonguesintongue-and-groovefloorboardstoallowyoutosandthefloorsagain.

EvaluatingWoodwork

Evaluatingwoodworktodetermineitssuitabilityforrefinishingisamorecomplicatedissuethanevaluatingfloors.Conditionofthewoodcertainlyisimportant—youshouldexamineitcloselyforsignsofdeteriorationorextensivedamage.Woodworkisoftenmilledfromsofterwoodtypesthanfloors,makingitmoresusceptibletogouging,splintering,anddecay.Thefactthatwoodworkwaspaintedoftenindicatesthatithasundergonerepairs,orthatsomeofthewoodworkisnotoriginalandwillbedifficulttoblendin.Whenevaluatingwoodwork,notetheintricatenessofthetrimpieces,particularlyabovedoors,andcheckfordetailedarchitecturalmillwork.Strippinganoldfinishfromdetailedwoodworkcanbeaverytime-consumingprocess.Testthewoodworkinafewspotstofindoutifitcanberemovedeasilyforrefinishing.Formanypeoplethisisthemostworkableoption—sendingwoodworkoutforcommercialstrippingisacommonpractice.Refinishingwoodworkinplaceisperhapstheeasieroption,butitcancreatequiteamess,andisphysicallydemanding.Askyourselfifyouareuptothetaskphysicallybeforeyoucommittorefinishingwoodworkinplace.

Checkforpaintinthefirstfinishlayer.Ifthefirstlayerispaint,strippingthewooddowntothenaturalwoodcolorisverydifficult.Paintingisyourbestoption.

TipsforEvaluatingWoodwork

Carefullyremoveonepieceofwoodworkandcheckthebacksidetoidentifythewoodtype.Alsoexaminetheendsofthepiecetoseehowthickthefinishisandhowdeeplyithaspenetratedintothewood.Youmayevenwanttotrystrippingthepiecetoassesshoweasilythefinishcomesoff.Also,ifthepiecewaseasytoremove,considertheoptionofremovingallthewoodworkforrefinishing.

Testtheconditionofthewood.Probethewoodworkwithasharpinstrument,especiallyaroundwindowsandotherareaswheremoistureispresent.Badlyrottedwoodworkshouldbereplaced.Minordamagecanbetreatedwithwood-hardeningproducts,butthisoptiongenerallyforcesyoutopaintthewoodwork.Somemanufacturers,however,haveintroducedstainablewoodhardener—askatyourlocalbuildingcenter.

IdentifyingOldFinishes

Identifyingtheoriginaltopcoatmaterialisanimportantstageinboththeevaluationandtheplanningprocesses.Ithelpsyouestimatehowmuchworkisinvolvedinremovingthetopcoat.Knowingthetypeoftopcoatalsohelpsdetermineyouroptionsforrestoringtheworkpiece—somefinishesareeasiertorepairthanothers,anddependingonwhatyoufind,youmaybeabletogetbywithminortouch-upsandcleaning.Identifyinganoldfinishcansuggesttheageofapotentialprojectaswell(seenextpage).Toidentifyafinish,beginbylookingforvisualclues,likecrazingoralligatoring(seenextpage,step1).Ifyouarestillunsureofthefinishmaterialbasedonthisinspection,trydabbingthefinishwithvarioussolvents.Forexample,ifdenaturedalcoholdissolvestheoldtopcoat,thechancesaregoodthatit’sshellac.Andonceyouknowitisshellac,youalsoknowthatyouhavetheoptionofblendingoutsurfaceproblemswithamixtureofalcoholandshellac.

Testtheoldfinishwithsolventstoidentifythetopcoatmaterial(seechart,nextpage).Dipacleanraginthesolventyouaretestingwith,dabthefinish,thenlookforfinishresidueontherag(givethechemicalenoughtimetowork).Alwayswipethesurfacelightlywithmineralspiritsfirsttoremoveanywaxbuildup.

Usealead-testingkittodetermineifpaintcontainslead.Acloselyregulatedhealthhazard,leadcanbefoundinpaintmadebefore1978andwascommoninpaintmadebefore1950.Followthekitmanufacturer’sdirectionscarefully,makingsureyoutestalllayersofthefinish,notmerelythetopone.Ifleadisdetected,donotstriporsandthepaintyourself.Takeittoaprofessionalrefinisher.

HowtoIdentifyanOldFinish

Oilfinish:•hasanaturallook,oftenwithaflatsheen,butcanbe

polishedtohighgloss•frequentlytintedwithstainthatpenetratesdeepintothewood•mineralspiritswilldissolveoil,butcolormustbesandedout•easytotouchuporrecoat

Shellac:•alligatorsandturnsdarkandgummyasitages(left)•

usuallyhasanorangecastwhendissolved•verycommonbefore1930,butstillinusetoday•dissolveseasilywithdenaturedalcohol•willbondwithfreshshellactoformasolidtopcoat

Lacquer:•veryhardfinishwithareflectivequality;oftensprayedon;

commononproductionfinishes•brittle;willcrazeorfracture(left),especiallywhenexposedtoextremecold•chipseasily

•dissolvesandrehardensiftreatedwithlacquerthinner

Varnish/polyurethane:•mostnewervarnishproductscontainpolyurethaneandare

fullydissolvedonlybystrongchemicalstrippers•oftenyellowswithage(left)

•commononrefinishedwood•polyurethaneproductscannotberecoatedorrepaired,but

purevarnishmayberecoated

1Lookforvisualcluestotheidentityofthetopcoatmaterial.Differenttopcoatsexhibitdifferentpropertiesastheyageandaresubjectedtowearandexposuretoairandchemicals.

Mineralspirits:•dissolveswax,mostoiltopcoats,andpurevarnish•good

asageneralcleaner•willlightensomeoil-basedwoodstains

Denaturedalcohol:•dissolvesshellaconcontact•evaporatesquickly;mustbewipedoffsoonafter

applicationwhenusedasafinishsolvent•alsoeffectiveonwaxandasageneralcleaner

Lacquerthinner:•dissolvesspray-onandbrush-onlacquertopcoats•canbe

usedtorepairalacquerfinish•alsodissolvesshellacandwax

•amorevolatilesolventthanmineralspiritsoralcohol

Chemicalstripper:•themostpowerfulfinish-removalagent;cutsthrough

varnishandpolyurethane•differentbrandsaremadefordifferentfinishmaterials—checkthelabel•hazardouschemical;usewithcare

2Testwithsolventstoconfirmtheidentityofthefinish.Ifvisualinspectionhasnotgivenyouanyclues,testthefinish,workingfromthemildestsolventtothestrongest:mineralspirits,thendenaturedalcohol,thenlacquerthinner,thenchemicalstripper.Totest,dabalittlesolventontoacleanrag,thenrubtheragonthefinish,preferablyinaninconspicuousarea.Allowtimeforthesolventtowork,thenrubagain,checkingtoseeifanyfinishresiduecomesupontherag.Ifnoneofthesolventsdissolvethefinish,itisprobablyacommercialtopcoat,andsandingistheonlyeffectiveremovalmethod.

SelectingaNewFinish

Agoodfinishbothprotectsandbeautifieswood.Toachievebothgoals,afinishismadeupofseverallayers,eachwithitsownspecificpurpose.Eachelementofafinishshouldbechosencarefully,accordingtothefeaturesofthewood,thefunctionoftheprojectpiece,andyourtastes.

Onnewwood,applyasealcoatmadeofsandingsealertocreatemoreevenfinishabsorptionandmoreconsistentcolor.Forafinefinish,somewoodsarebesttreatedwithgrainfillerinsteadofsealer.

Thenextlayeristhecolorlayer,whichisusuallycreatedwithwoodstainorpenetratingoil.Colorcaneitherenhanceorminimizegrainpatternandotherwoodfeatures,anditcanbeautifyplainwood.Withfinewoods,ortocreateamorerusticlook,thecolorlayercanbeomitted.Dampenthewoodsurfacewithmineralspiritstoseehowitwilllookwithaclearfinish.Tocreateaspecificdecorativelook,ortocoverwooddefects,applypaintasthecolorlayer.

Finally,atopcoatisappliedtosealthewoodandprotectthefinishedsurfacefromscratchesandwear.Topcoatscanbecreatedwithtraditionalfinishingproducts,liketungoil,ormorecontemporarymaterials,likepolyurethane.Alayerortwoofwell-buffedpastewaxcanbeappliedovermosttopcoatmaterialstocreateaglossy,protectivesurfacethatiseasilyrenewablewithfreshwax.Whenselectinganewfinish,ithelpsifyouknowthewoodspeciesofyourproject.Softwoods,likepine,shouldalwaysbetreatedwithsandingsealerorprimer,forexample.Andopen-grainedhardwoods,likeredoakormahogany,lookbetterwhentreatedwithgrainfiller.Thefinishsamplesonpages26to27canhelpyouidentifythewoodtype.Theyalsoshowhowsomecommonfinisheslookondifferentwoods.

Asageneralrule,baseyourfinishselectiononcolor.Simplychooseacoloryoulike,thenselectacoloringagentandacompatibletopcoat.

Atypicalwoodfinishiscomposedofthreebasiclayers:thesealcoat,thecolorlayer,andthetopcoat.

TipsforSelectingaNewFinish

Considerabsorptionrates.Somewoodtypesabsorbmorefinishmaterialsthanothers,dependingontheporosityofthewoodgrain.Inthephotoabove,thesamestainwasappliedtothreedifferentunsealedwoods,resultinginthreeverydifferentlevelsofdarkness.Sealingthewoodwithsandingsealerorfillingthegrainminimizesthiseffect.

Considerthegrainpatternwhenchoosingafinish.Highlyfiguredwood,likethewalnutshownabove,usuallyisgivenaclearfinishsothegrainisnotobscured.Insomecases,however,tintedpenetratingoilcanbeusedtoenhanceanalreadystrikinggrainpattern.Experimentwithdifferentcoloringagentsonapieceofsimilarwood,orinaninconspicuousareaoftheproject,tohelpwiththefinishselection.

Lookforrepairs,damage,andunevencolor.Workpieceswithobviousdamageorrepairs,likethewoodputtylineshownabove,orwithunevenwoodcolorfromoldfinishresidue,requireadarkerfinishtodisguisethewooddefects.

Combinecolorstocreateinterestingdecorativeeffects.Contrastingstainsonthesamewoodtypecancreateadramaticfinishwhenusedundertheinfluenceofgooddesignsense.

SampleFinishes:Dark

Usedarkfinishesto:enhanceadistinctivegrainpattern(A);addinteresttoplainwood(B);givearich,formallooktosoftwoods(C);createatraditionalfinishstyle(D);orsimulatetheappearanceofafinerhardwoodoninexpensivewood(E).

SampleFinishes:Light

Uselightfinishesto:highlightsubtlegrainpatterns(A);amplifyattractivewoodtones(B);modifywoodtonestomatchaparticulardecororcolorscheme(C);addasenseofdepth(D);orgiveunfinishedwoodaseasoned,antiqueappearance(E).

SampleFinishes:Clear

Clearfinishesprotectandsealwoodwhileallowingthenaturalbeautyofthewoodtospeakforitself.Chooseclearfinishesforexoticwoodsthatareprizedfortheircolororgrainpattern,orformorecommonwoodswhenanatural,rusticlookisdesired.

SampleFinishes:Painted

Paintedfinishesmaskundesirablequalities,likeoldfinishresidue,andcreatedecorativeeffects.Surfacedefects,likerepairs,stains,knots,andholesshouldbefilledwithwoodputtytocreateanevensurfacewhenpainted.Man-madewoodproducts,likeplywood,alsobenefitfrompaintedfinishes.

FinishingTools

Foranyrefinishingproject,youwillneedafewhandandpowertoolstoremovetheoldfinish,repairdefectsanddamage,preparetheworkpieceforthenewfinish,andapplythenewfinish.Youprobablyalreadyownmanyofthenecessarytools,especiallythemorebasicones(seelistright).Somehouseholditems,suchasoldtoothbrushesandcottonswabs,canalsobeusefulinrefinishingandfinishing.Otherhouseholditemscanbefashionedintocustomfinish-removaltools.Forexample,anoldcreditcard,cuttofitthecontours,canbeusedasamoldingscraper.

Tools:bradpusher,clamps,craftknife,hammer,nailset,razorbladescraper,rubbermallet,screwdrivers,staplegun,straightedge,tapemeasure,utilityknife,woodchisels.

Materials:dustmask,eyeprotection,respirator,rubbergloves,dropcloths,maskingtape.

EVERYTHINGYOUNEED:

Tools:bradpusher,clamps,craftknife,hammer,nailset,razorbladescraper,rubbermallet,screwdrivers,staplegun,straightedge,tapemeasure,utilityknife,woodchisels.

Materials:dustmask,eyeprotection,respirator,rubbergloves,dropcloths,maskingtape.

Powertoolsforfinishingandrefinishingincludeabeltsanderforfinishremovalonlarge,flatsurfaces;arandom-orbitsanderforall-purposesanding;finishingsandersforearlystagesoffinishsanding,acordlessdrillwithapolishingbonnetforbuffingtopcoats;aheatgunforstrippingpaint;andamouse-sanderfordetailsanding.

Brushesforremovingfinishincludeastrippingbrushandwirebrushforfinishremoval,andwiredetailbrushesforsmallerareas.Brushesforapplyingfinishincludeapaintingpadforlarge,flatareas;apolyester-bristlebrushforallfinishes;anatural-bristlebrushforoil-basedapplications;artists’brushesfortouch-ups;stencilingbrushesforfinishingandliquidwaxapplications.

Sandingandscrapingtoolsinclude:astrippingtool,paintscraper,andputtyknivesforfinishremovalandscrapingflatsurfaces;detailscrapersforscrapingdetailareas;asandingspongeforallflatsurfaces;abrasivepadsandsyntheticsteelwoolforfinishremoval,sanding,andbuffingfinishingcoats;sandingcord,sandinggrips,andateardropsandingpadforsandinghard-to-reachareasandcontours.

Safety,Cleanup&Disposal

Protectyourselfandyourhome,andhelpensuregoodfinishingresultsbyusingsensiblesafety,cleanup,anddisposalmethodswhenrefinishing.

Refinishingwoodcancreatemanyhazards,includingdangerousvapors,flammableortoxicchemicalresidue,andsandingdustthatcanimpairbreathing(aswellasruinanotherwisegoodfinish).

Makesureyouhavetherequiredsafetyandprotectiveequipmentbeforeyoubeginworking.Establishadedicatedworkarea,preferablyinawell-ventilatedarea,likeagarage.Organizetheareaforcomfort,safety,andefficiency(seeguidelines,left).Ifyouareunsureaboutanydisposalregulations,contactyourlocalwastemanagementdepartment,cityoffice,ortheEnvironmentalProtectionAgency(page32).

Installafaninawindowinyourworkareatoprovideventilation.Wherepossible,directonefanoutsidetoremovevapors,anddirectanotherfanintotheroomtosupplyfreshair.

GuidelinesforaRefinishingWorkArea

•Chooseaworksurfacethatraisestheprojecttoacomfortableworkingheight.Anadjustable-heightworkbenchisidealforrefinishing.

•Storerefinishingknives,scrapers,andotherdangeroustoolsinalockedcabinetortrunk.

•Storehazardousorflammablematerialsinafireproofcabinet.

•Protectthefloorwithadropcloth.Formessyjobs,layoldnewspaperoverthedropclothforeasycleanup.

•Coveranyductworkintheworkareatokeepdustandfumesfromspreadingthroughoutthehouse.

•Extinguishnearbypilotlightsanddonotoperatespaceheaterswheneverworkingwithstrippersandotherchemicalsthatproduceflammablevapors.

•Maintainaworkareathatiswelllit,dry,andwarm(between65°and75°F).Useadehumidifierindampareastospeeddryingtimes.

•Useametaltrashcanwithalidandemptyitregularly.

Readproductlabelsforimportantinformationonsafety,cleanup,anddisposal.

SafetyEquipment

Basicsafetyequipmentfortheworkareaincludes:afullychargedfireextinguisherratedfortypeAandBfires,asmokedetector,afirstaidkit,aneyewashkit,disposablelatexgloves,andatelephoneforemergencyuse.

ProtectiveEquipment

Protectiveequipmentforrefinishingandcleanupincludes:adustmaskandcapwithbrim,towearwhensanding;arespirator,towearwhenusingharshstrippingchemicals;gogglesandstrippinggloves,towearwhilestrippingandfinishing;earplugs,towearwhenoperatingpowertools.

StorageTips

Hangpaintbrusheswiththebristlesdownsotheydryevenlyandcompletely,andtoprotectthebristles.Ifthebristlesarebentwhilethebrushisdrying,theywillbecomepermanentlybent.

Labelstoragecontainersclearlywithadescriptionofthecontentsandthedatethematerialwasfirstused.Alsonoteanyspecialprojectstowhichafinishingproductwasapplied.Note:Thebestsolutiontostorageissuesistobuyonlyasmuchmaterialasyouneed,avoidingleftovers.

DisposalTip

Usenewspapersandragstocollectresiduefromrefinishingandfinishing.Letthenewspapersandragsdry,thenthrowthemoutwithyourhouseholdtrash.Note:Anyresiduecontainingleadmustbetakentoahazardouswastedisposalsite.

GuidelinesforWorkingwithChemicals

Leftoverpaints,strippers,andsolventsareconsideredhouseholdhazardouswastes.Wastesproducedbystrippingandfinishingproceduresmaycontainlead,mercury,andotherdangeroussubstancesthatwillpollutelandfillsandwatersupplies.CalltheEPAHazardousWasteHotlineat1-800-424-9346forinformationondisposingofthesematerialsresponsibly.

•Usewater-basedstrippers,stains,andfinishesinsteadofoil-basedproductswhenevertheymeetyourneeds.

•Buyrefinishingandfinishingmaterialsinthesmallestquantityneededforthejob,anddisposeofleftovermaterialsproperly.

•Neverpourrefinishingorfinishingchemicalsdownthedrain.

•Attheendofyourproject,takeanyunusedchemicalstoahazardouswastedisposalsite,ordonateanyusableleftovermaterialstofriendsorcivicorganizations.

•Nevermixchemicalsdirectlyintoyourhouseholdoryardwastewithoutdryingfirst(seeTIP,left).

CleanupTips

Wrapwetpaintbrushesinplasticorfoiltostorethemforuptothreeorfourhourswhileyouwaitforacoatoffinishtodry.

Reusemineralspirits.Pourusedmineralspiritsintoaclearcontainer,andallowtheliquidtorestuntilthecontaminantssettletothebottomofthecontainer.Pourorsiphontheclearmineralspiritsintoanothercontainerforlateruse.Disposeoftheresidueproperly.

Cleanbrushesefficientlyinacontainerthatisjustbigenoughtoholdboththebrushandenoughsolventtodothejob.Toensurecompatibilitywiththesolvent,selectacontainerthatismadeofthesamematerial(usuallyplasticormetal)asthesolventcontainer.

Cleanhandswithvegetableoil.Scrubbingwithordinaryvegetableoilwilldissolveandremovemostoil-basedfinishingproducts.Theoilymessitcreatesisrinsedoffeasilywithsoapandwater(dishdetergentisveryeffective).

Keepyourworkareadustfreebyvacuumingtoolboxes,cabinets,woodwork,andlightfixtures,aswellasallfloorsandworksurfaces,wheneveryoucompleteasandingproject.

RefinishingBasics

RemovingOldFinishes

Removinganoldfinishdoesnothavetobeatediouschore.Infact,watchingyourprojectemergefrombeneathmanylayersofoldfinishisoneofthemostsatisfyingstagesoftherefinishingprocess.Nevertheless,strippingafinishshouldbeviewedasalastresorttobedoneonlyiftheoldfinishcannotbesaved.

Beforebeginningtheremovalprocess,makecertainyourprojectreallyneedsstripping.Cleanthewoodsurfacesthoroughlywithmineralspiritsandidentifythefinishtopcoattodetermineifitcanberepaired.

Therearethreeprimaryfinish-removalmethods:scrapingandsanding,heatstripping,andchemicalstripping.Removingfinishusuallyrequiresacombinationoftechniques.Scrapingandsandingaredoneatthebeginningandendofalmosteveryfinish-removalprocess.Sandingistheonlywaytoremovesomeverystubbornfinishes,likeepoxypaint.Heatstrippingismosteffectivewithpaintedfinishes,butitcanbeusedwithsomesuccessonthicklayersofcleartopcoat.Inmostcases,heatstrippingshouldbefollowedbychemicalstrippingtofullyremoveafinish.

Chemicalstrippingisthemostthoroughfinish-removalmethodanditposesthesmallestamountofdangertothewood.

THISSECTIONSHOWS:

Scraping&SandingHeatStrippingChemicalStripping

Usethebestfinish-removalmethodforthetypeofoldfinish.Onpaintedsurfaces,chemicalstripperremovesmostoftheoldpaintquicklyandeffectively,andwithoutdamagingthewood.

Heatstrippingandsandingareeffective,too,andtheydon’tinvolvenastychemicals,butit’seasytogougeorscratchthewood.

TipsforRemovingaFinish:PreparingtheWorkpiece

Removethehardwaretoprovidebetteraccesstowoodsurfaces.Removingthehardwarealsomakesiteasiertorepairandrefurbishitwithoutdamagingthewood.

Makerepairstotheworkpiecebeforestrippingit.Problemslikelooseveneerneedtobecorrectedbeforechemicalstrippersareappliedbecausethechemicalscangetintothedamagedareaandworsentheproblem.

Disassemblefurniturewhenitishelpful.Somefurnitureiseasiertoworkwithwhenitisbrokendownintoseparate,moreaccessiblepieces.

Maskdelicatepartsandaccessoriesthataredifficulttoremove.Especiallyonolderitems,tryingtoremovedelicatepartsthataresecurelyinplacecandamagethepartsandthewoodsurroundingthem.

Labelallwoodworkbeforesendingitouttobecommerciallystripped.Useascratch-awlformarking—penorpencilmarksusuallydisappearduringcommercialstripping.Makeacompletelistoftheitemsyousendout,andalwayscheckyourlistatpickuptimetomakesurenothingismissing.

Scraping&Sanding

Abrasiontechniques,likescrapingandsanding,areusedatthestartandtheendofmostfinish-removalprojects.Beforeheatstrippingorchemicallystrippingwood,scrapeoffloosefinishwithapaintscraperorputtyknife.Afterstrippingasmuchfinishasyoucan,usescrapersagaintodislodgeanylastflecksoffinish.Finally,sandtogetridoffinishresidueandtosmooththewoodsurface.

Usescrapingandsandingasyourprimaryfinish-removalmethodonextra-toughsurfaceslikeepoxypaint,andforverydelicatesurfacesthatarenotsuitableforheat-strippingorchemicalstripping.Onfloors,sandingisthemostcommonmethodforremovinganoldfinish.Usecoarsesandpaper(upto120-grit)forfinishremoval.

Scrapersandsandingblockscomeinallshapesandsizes.Andiftheperfecttoolforyourneedsisnotmanufactured,youcanoftenmakeityourselffromsimplehouseholditems,likeanoldcreditcard,arubberspatula,ormetalflashing.

Removeepoxypaintandtoughcommercialfinisheswithabeltsander—somecommercialfinishes,especiallythoseappliedtopre-finishedflooringproducts,arealmostimpossibletodissolvewithchemicals.

Rentfloorsandersforresurfacingwoodfloors.Drumsandersandedgersliketheonesshownaboveareavailableatrentalstoresandcanberentedatmanybuildingcenters.Ifyourentthesetools,makesuretogetoperatinginstructionsfromtheattendant,andgrabplentyofsandingbeltsanddiscsinavarietyofgrits(youcanalwaysreturnsandpapersthatyoudonotuse).

ToolsforScraping&Sanding

Paintscrapersremoveloosenedfinishmaterials.Useadetailscraperwithinterchangeablescrapingheads(left)toremovepaintfromhard-to-reachspots,andapaintscraperwithreplaceableblades(right)toscrapeflatsurfaces.

Abeltsanderisusedforfastfinishremovalfromlarge,flatsurfaces.Thistoolremovesmaterialveryquickly,souseitwithdiscretion(andadustbag).Inadditiontogeneralsmoothing,abeltsanderisagoodtoolforremovingpaint(seepreviouspage).

Sandingcordsremovefinishfromdifficult-to-reachareassuchascreviceslikethosecommonlyfoundonspindlesanddecorativeaccents.Cordsaresoldinwoodworkingsupplystoresandcatalogsinseveraldifferentgrits:60-to120-gritcordisgoodforfinishremoval.

Teardropsandingblocks,availableinavarietyofsizes,letyousandoldfinishfromcontoursorunusuallyshapedareas.Theycanalsobeusedforfinishsanding.Similarproducts,calledsandinggrips,areavailableinmanyprofilesandsizes.

HeatStrippingHeatstrippingisasafeandeffectivefinish-removalmethodwhenthepropertechniquesandsafetymeasuresareused.Itworksbestonpaint,butcanbeusedonthicklayersofvarnish,lacquer,andothertopcoats.Heatstrippingisagoodmoney-saverwhendonepriortochemicalstripping:becauseitremovessomucholdpaint,youwilluselessoftheexpensivechemicalstripper.Usecautionwhenheatstrippingwoodwork—theblowercansendhotpaintchipsflying,soalwaysscrapeoffloosepaintbeforeusingtheheatgun.

Successfulheatstrippingdependsongoodtiming.Asyouexposepainttoaheatgun,thepaintreachesapointwhereitsbondwiththewoodloosens.Ifyouscrapethesurfaceatthispoint,thescraperworkslikeaplow,pushingtheloosenedpaintoffthewoodinwideribbons.Ifyouwaittoolong,thepaintbecomesgummy.

EVERYTHINGYOUNEED:

Tools:heatgun,puttyknife,assortedscrapers,heavy-gaugeextensioncord,fireextinguisher.

Materials:coffeecan,goggles,workgloves,aluminumfoilandcardboard.

TipforHeatStripping

Aheatshieldpreventsthehotairfromaheatgunfromdamagingorblisteringotherareasnexttotheworkarea.Tomakeaheatshield,coverapieceofheavycardboard(approximately6”&12”)withheavy-dutyaluminumfoil.

HowtoHeat-stripPaint

1Scrapeoffallloosepaintflakeswithapaintscraper.Positiontheheatgunabout2”abovealarge,flatsurface,thenturnthegunon,startingatthelowestsetting.Asthegunheatsup,moveitinacircularmotionuntilthepaintbeginstorelease—usuallysignifiedbyblistering.Ifthepaintfailstoblister,trythenexthigherheatsetting.

2Pushametalscraperalongtheheatedsurface,atanangleofapproximately30°,followingtheheatgun.Developarhythmthatallowsyoutomovethescraperandtheheatgunatthesamespeed(alwayskeeptheheatgunmovinginacircularmotion).Stripallthelarge,flatsurfaces.TIP:Keepthescraperbladecleanbydepositingpaintribbonsintoacoffeecanasyouwork.

3Heat-stripthecontouredandunevenareas,usingspecialtyscrapers,whereneeded,toremovetheloosenedpaint.Donotoverheatorapplytoomuchpressurearounddetailedareas—theyaremorevulnerabletoscorchingandgougingthanflatareas.

4Dry-scrapeallwoodsurfacestoremoveanyremainingloosenedpaintflecksafteryouaredoneheatstripping.Inmostcases,youwillneedtousechemicalsolventsorstripperstoremovetherestofthefinish.

ChemicalStripping

Therecomesatimeinthelifeofeveryfurnishingwhenitsoriginalfinishneedstogo.Notonlydoesafailedfinishdetractfromtheappearanceofthefurnishing,itwillnotprotectthewoodproperly.Sounlessyourpieceoffurnitureisamuseum-qualityantique(anditalmostcertainlyisn’t)you’llbedoingtheoldchairortable(andyourself)afavorbystrippingoffthefailingfinishandreplacingitwithabrand-newprotectivecoating.

Commonsolventsusedtostripafinishare:mineralspirits(usedasageneralcleaner,forremovingwaxbuildup,andtodissolvepurevarnish);denaturedalcohol(effectiveonshellacandasarinsingagentafterstripping);andlacquerthinner(usedtodissolvebothspray-onandbrush-onlacquerfinishes).Thesechemicalsareinexpensiveandrelativelysafetouse,sousetheminsteadofcommercialchemicalstripperswheneveryoucan.

Chemicalpaintstrippersareconfusingproducts.Thefactis,anychemicalthatcanpeelpaintoffarockingchairhasthepotentialtoaffectyourhealthnegatively.Newerstrippingproductsintroducedinthelastdecadeorsoclaimtobesaferalternativestotraditional”ZipStrip”typesofchemicalstrippers,oftenboastingapleasingcitrusscenttosuggestthattheirchemistryissomehowmoreorganicandlesstoxic.Thesestrippingproductsdouseadifferentactiveingredientthanthetraditionalchemicalstrippersthatcontainaparticularlynastyactiveingredientcalledmethylenechloride.Buttheseproductsaren’tactuallylesstoxic,theysimplyevaporatemoreslowlysothedangerousfumesdon’tbuildupasquickly.

Whenshoppingforachemicalstripper,theprimaryquestionstoaskconcerncostandwhethertheproductisasemi-pasteoraliquid.Formostjobs,semi-pastestripperisthebestchoice.Liquidstripperdoesn’tclingtosurfacesandoftendriesoutbeforethefinishis

doesn’tclingtosurfacesandoftendriesoutbeforethefinishisdissolved.Nomatterwhichproductyoubuy,itisveryimportantthatyoufollowthesafeuseanddisposalinstructionsrigorously.

EVERYTHINGYOUNEED:

Tools:paintbrushes,puttyknivesandscrapers,safetyequipment.

Materials:stripperorsolvent,mediumabrasivepads,newspapersandrags,sawdust,rinsingagent.

Chemicalstripperdissolvesthickfinishessotheycanbewipedofforscrapedoffeasily.Coarseabrasivepadsareeffectiveremovaltoolsforcontours.

ChemicalStrippersbyType

MethyleneChloride(MC)strippersarethetypesmostpeoplearefamiliarwithusing.Theycontainanywherefrom25%to85%MC,alongwithavarietyofothersolventsandwax.Thefumesarehazardousandsafeusagerequiresgoodventilationandthewearingofarespirator.Non-flammableproductsusuallyhaveahigherconcentrationofMC.CommonbrandnamesincludeBix,ZipStrip,SuperStrip,ZarPaint&VarnishRemover.

FurnitureRefinisherisaliquidthatcontainsacombinationofsolvents,includingacetone,toluene,andmethanol,butnotmethylenechloride.Itissomewhateffectiveonnon-oilbaseclearfinishesbutwon’tdissolvemostpaintoroil-basevarnishandpolyurethane.Becauseitisliquiditevaporatesquicklyandrequiresnumerousreapplications.

NMPstrippers(N-methylpyrrolidone)aresomewhatsafertousethanMCorATMstrippers,butonlybecausetheyevaporatemoreslowly,lesseningthebuildupofhazardousvapors.Theyareslower-actingandmoreexpensivethanothertypes.Somecommonbrandsinclude3MSafestStripper,SafeStrip,Citristrip,ZipStrip2Cleanerformula,BiodegradableStripeeze,Peelaway,WoodfinishersPride.

Householdsolventsthatdissolvecertaintypesofwoodfinishesincludedenaturedalcohol,mineralspirits(alsocalledpaintthinner),andlacquerthinner.Theyareinexpensiveandhaveotherapplications,includingthinningfinishesandgeneralcleanup.Seepages22to23formoreinformationontheseproducts.

HowtoChemicallyStripaFinish

1Tohelpthechemicalstripperpenetratetheoldfinish,scuffsandthefinishlightlywithcoarse(80-or100-grit)sandpaperbeforeyouapplytheproduct.

2Shakethechemicalstripperthoroughlyandthenopenthecapveryslowly.Pourasmallamountofproductintoacontainerwithalargeenoughopeningtofita3”paintbrush.Thenewcontainershouldbemadeofthesamematerialasthestrippercontainer.Stripperevaporatesquickly–onlypouritoutofthecontainerinsmallamounts.Weargoggles,arespirator,heavyrubbergloves,andlongsleeveswhenworkingwithchemicalstripper.

3Brushstripperontothewoodsurfaceinathicklayer.Workquicklyanddonotbackbrushorrebrushproductonceitisinplace.Thestripperusuallycontainsparaffinthatformsaskimcoatonthesurfacetopreventtheactiveingredientsfromevaporatingtooquickly.Avoiddisturbingtheskimcoat.

4Letthestripperworkforatleastaslongasthemanufacturersuggests.Checkitperiodically.Ifyouseethatitisdriedout,refreshit,doingyourbesttoavoiddisturbingtheskimcoatonthesurroundingarea.Thegoalistokeepthecoatofstripperfreshandworkingonthepaintlongenoughtodissolveitallthewaytothewoodinoneapplication.

5Youcanslowtheevaporationofthestripperbycoveringtheitemyou’restrippingwithplasticwrap.Continuetotakecaretoavoiddisturbingtheskimcoatofparaffin.

6Testthestrippertoseeifithasremovedfinishdowntobarewoodandthenscrapethesludgeandoldfinishoff.Onflatsurfaces,useastiffputtyknife.Roundoffthecornersoftheputtyknifefirstsoitdoesnotscratchthewood.Depositthesludgeonoldnewspaperorinacardboardbox.

TIP:Stripthedetailedandcontouredareas,usingspecialtyscrapersandabrasivepadstoremovethesludge.Uselightpressureonthescraperssoyoudonotgougethewood.Youcanalsouseroughtwine,oldtoothbrushes,ascouringpad—anythingyoucanthinkoftomanagetheprofilesaslongasit’ssafetouse.

7Scrubtheitemwithsteelwooldippedinstrippertoremovestubbornareas,andthenrinseitthoroughlywithsteelwooldippedinmineralspiritsordenaturedalcoholtodissolveandremovealloftheparaffinandanyotherchemicalresiduethatwillpreventthenewfinishfrombonding.

MakingBasicRepairs

Repairbrokenparts,loosejoints,damagedveneer,andotherwoodproblemsduringtherefinishingprocess.Bymakingcarefulrepairs,youwillbeabletoenjoyyourcompletedrefinishingprojectforalongtime.

Thissectionshowsyouhowtomakebasicrepairstocommonproblemsfoundinalltypesoffurniture,floors,andwoodwork.Mostrepairsinvolvewoodjoints.Ifyouareunfamiliarwiththevariouswaystwopiecesofwoodcanbejoinedtogether,checklibrariesandbookstoresforinformationonwoodjoinery.

Onceyouidentifyanyrepairsyourrefinishingprojectrequires,choosethebesttimetoperformtherepairs.Somerepairs,likereattachinglooseveneer,shouldalmostalwaysbedonebeforechemicalstrippingbecausethechemicalscanseepunderlooseveneerandcausefurtherdamage.Otherrepairs,likeregluingabrokenjoint,makemoresenseafterthestrippingiscompletedbecausechemicalstripperscandissolvethenewglueinthejoint.

Tolearnmoreaboutcosmeticrepairs,likefillingscratchesinafinishorreattachingwoodsplinters,seeMaintenance&QuickFixes(pages136to139).

THISSECTIONSHOWS:

RepairingJoints&BrokenPartsRepairingVeneer

Makingrepairs,likeregluingtheface-framestretcherjointsonthisdresser,helpsensurethatyourprojectpiecewillstanduptodailyuseformanyyearstocome.

Glues&GluingTools

Commongluesforrepairingwoodinclude:whiteglue(A),carpenter’sglue(B),andepoxyglue(C).Carpenter’sglueissuitableformostgeneralwoodrepairs,butforcomplicatedrepairsuseslower-dryingwhitegluetogiveyourselfmoreworkingtime.Useepoxyforexteriorfurnitureandforrepairswherethegluemustfillvoidscreatedbymissingwood.

Toolsforgluinginclude:aJ-roller(A),andawoodwallpaperseamroller(D)forpressingveneer;andglueapplicators,likeapaletteknife(B),askewer(C),tonguedepressorsorpopsiclesticks(E),squeezebottles(F),pipecleaners(G),ametalgluebrush(H),andaglueinjector(I).

TipsforWorkingwithGlue

Removeoldgluebeforeregluing.Useafileoranemeryboardintightareas,andusescrapersorchiselsonflat,easy-to-reachsurfaces.Stubborngluecanusuallybedissolvedwithhotvinegar.

Applygluetotheapplicator,nottotheworkpieceitself,toachievetheneatestresultswhengluinginhard-to-reachareas,likeunderveneerorinsideamortise.

Scrapeoffexcessglueafteritdries,usingachisel(roundoverthecornersfirsttopreventgouging).Wipingoffwetgluewitharagforcesglueintowoodpores,interferingwithnewfinishabsorption.

RepairingJoints&BrokenParts

Looseorbrokenjointsandbrokenparts,likecrackedseatsandwobblylegs,areamongthemostcommonstructuralproblemsfoundinfurniture.Easytofix,theseproblemsusuallycanbecorrectedsimplybygluingandreinforcingthejoint.Forbestresults,disassemblethejointfirstsoyoucanscrapeofftheoldgluebeforeregluing.Doinggood,carefulworkisimportant—iftherepairisnotasstrongastheoriginaljoint,itislikelytofailagain.

EVERYTHINGYOUNEED:

Tools:chisel,puttyknife,clamps,drill,glueinjector,saw,utilityknife,nailpuller,pliers,bandsaworjigsaw,pencil,screwdriver.

Materials:carpenter’sglue,epoxyglue,woodsweller,dowels,wood,waxpaper,hardwoodwedge.

Cuthardwoodmendingplatesandmatchingmortisestoreinforcerepairsmadetocracksorbreaksinflatsurfaces.Cutabow-tie-shapedplate,andmortise(above)withachisel.Or,ifyoupreferworkingwitharouter,cutfigure-8shapes(inset).

TipsforRepairingJointsWithoutDisassembly

Usewoodswellertotightenloosejoints.Whensquirtedintoaloosejoint,likeachairspindle,swellercausesthewoodinthejointtoswellandtighten.Usewoodswellersonlyoninteriorspindlesandotherpartsthatdonotsupportmuchweightwhenthefurnitureisinuse.

Drillholesinajointandfillwithepoxygluetocreate“epoxynails”thathardenandreinforceloosejoints.Drillatleasttwo ”-diameterholesperjoint.Unlikemetalfasteners,epoxywillnotcorrodeordiscolorthewood.Useaself-mixinginjector(above)todeliverthecorrectmixtureoftwo-partepoxyglue.

HowtoDisassembleaJoint

1Removenails,screws,andotherfastenersthatweredrivenintothewoodtoreinforcethejoint.Internalreinforcement,likedowelsorbiscuits,cannotberemoveduntilthejointisseparated.

2Ifthegluebondisstillintact,dissolvethegluebyinjectinghotvinegarintothejoint.NOTE:Ifhotvinegarfailstodissolvetheglue,itisprobablyepoxy,whichmustbeseparatedbybreakingorcuttingthejoint.

3Wiggleortwistthejointgentlybeforethegluerehardens.Ifitstilldoesnotseparate,driveawedge-shapedhardwoodscrapintothejoint.

4Scrapealltracesoftheoldgluefromthepartsofthejoint(includingwoodenfastenerslikedowelsorbiscuits)usingasharptool,likeaputtyknife,chisel,orfile.

OPTION:Removeinternalreinforcement,likedowels—especiallyifthejointhasrottedordeterioratedinanyway.Useaplierstopulldowelsorbiscuitsoutofthewood,thenreplacethemwithnewreinforcingmaterials.

1Cleanloosedebrisandsplintersfromthepiecesofthepartsothematingsurfacesfittightly.Ifsomuchwoodismissingthatthepiecescannotbematched,youprobablyneedtoreplacethedamagedpart.

2Applygluetothesurfacestobejoined,pressthepartstogether,thenclampthegluejointandletthegluedry.Unclamp,thenscrapetheexcessgluefromthesurfaceswithachisel.

3Outlineandcutabow-tie-shapedmendingplatefrom¼”-thickhardwood.Whensetoverthecrackorbreak,itshouldoverhangeachsideofthebreakbyatleast1”.Cutthemendingplateusingabandsaworjigsawwithamediumorfineblade.

4Positionthemendingplateoverthecrackorbreak,thentracetheoutlineontotheundersideoftheworkpieceasaguideforcuttingthemortise.Useasharpwoodchiseltocuta ”-deepmortiseforthemendingplate.Smoothoutthebottomandsidesofthemortise,usingthechiselorafile.Test-fittheplateinthemortise,andenlargethemortiseifneeded.

5Applygluetothebackofthemendingplateandtothebottomofthemortise,thensettheplateintothemortise.Covertheplatewithwaxpaper,thenclampuntiltheglueisdry.Scrapeawaytheexcessgluewithachisel,thensandthetopoftheplatesoitisflushwiththesurroundingwood.

HowtoRepairBrokenSpindles,Legs&Rungs

1Removethespindle,leg,orrungfromthepieceoffurniture,disassemblingthejointsiftheyarenotloosealready.Cleandebrisandsplintersfromthepiecesofthepartsothematingsurfacesfittightly.Ifsomuchwoodismissingthatthepiecescannotbematched,youprobablyneedtoreplacethedamagedpart.

2Applygluetothematingsurfacesofthebreak.Wrapthespindle,leg,orrungwithwaxpapersotheclampsdonotsticktothewood,thenpressthepartstogether,makingsuretheyarealigned.Sliphoseclampsovertherepair,spacedevery3”to4”,andtightenthemsecurely.Allowthegluetodryovernight,thenremovetheclampsandpaper,andscrapeawaytheexcessgluewithachisel.

3Choosealengthofhardwooddowelthatisnothickerindiameterthanone-halfthediameterofthespindle,leg,orrungattherepairspot(thethickestspotintherepairarea).Usingadrillandabitthesamediameterasthedowel,drillaholeallthewaythroughthethickestspotintherepairarea.

4Taperoneendofthedowel(insetphoto),thencutthedowelsoitis½”longerthanthedepthofthehole.Applygluetothedowelandslideitintothehole,leadingwiththetaperedend,soitextends¼”oneachsideofthehole.Whentheglueisdry,trimtheendsofthedowelwithasaworfile,thensandthemflush.

RepairingVeneerMakingbasicveneerrepairs,likeregluinglooseorblisteredveneer,isafairlysimplejob.Aslongasyoucleantherepairareathoroughlyanddonotrushthroughtheprocess,theseeasyveneerrepairswillgreatlyimprovetheappearanceofyourfurniture—andpreventfurtherdamage.Complicatedrepairsinvolvingpatchingshouldbedonebyaprofessional.Beforeregluinglooseveneer,tryironingtheveneertoreformthegluebond.

Usesmalltoolswhenworkingwithveneer.Thin-bladeknives,likethepaletteknifeabove,andsmallbrushesarelesslikelytocausedamage.

EVERYTHINGYOUNEED:

Tools:brush,paletteorputtyknife,glueapplicator,squeezebottleforglue,craftknife,pencil,straightedge,clamps.

Materials:glue,waxpaper,vinegar,cottonswab.

CommonVeneerProblems

Looseorblisteredveneerisrelativelyeasytorepair.Insomecases,therepairisassimpleascoveringthedamagedareawithatowel,thenpressingitwithaniron.Ifironingdoesnotwork,regluetheveneerwithfreshglue(pageopposite).Scratches,burns,andothercommonsurfaceproblemsarerepairedusingthesametechniquesaswithsolidwood—butuseextracareanddonotoversand.

Missingsectionsofveneeraredifficulttorepair.Ifyoustillhavethemissingpieceanditisintact,however,itcanberegluedthesamewayaswithlooseveneer(seeoppositepage).Cuttingandgluingdownnewveneerpatchesisajobforprofessionalsorveryexperiencedwoodworkers.Often,thebestsolutionistocovertheentiresurfacewithnewveneer.

HowtoRepairLooseVeneer

1Useaputtyorpaletteknifetolifttheveneersoyoucancleanbelowitwithabrush.Becarefulnottotearthefragileveneer.Ifthereisglueonthesurface,tryscrubbingwithacottonswabdippedinhotvinegar.

2Applygluetotheveneerandbasewithanapplicator,likeacottonswab.OPTION:Injectglueundertheveneerwithasqueezebottleoraglueinjector.

3Covertherepairareawithwaxpaperandaclampingblock,thenclamptherepairuntilthegluedries.Removetheclampandcarefullyscrapeawayanyexcessgluewithachisel.

HowtoRepairBlisteredVeneer

1Slicetheblisteralongthegrainwithacraftknife.Useathin-bladedknife,likeapaletteknife,andasmallbrushtocleandebrisfromundertheblisteredarea.

2Slipathinspacerundertheveneer,theninjectcarpenter’sglueintotheblister(forverylargeareas,useslower-dryingwhiteglue).Rolltheblisterwithaseamrollertosettheglue.Coverwithwaxpaperandclamptherepairuntilthegluedries.

3Sliceawayanyveneerthatoverlapstheseam,usingacraftknifeandstraightedge.

PreparingfortheFinishAproperlypreparedwoodsurfaceabsorbsfinishmaterialsevenly,focusingattentiononthequalityandcolorofthewoodandthefinish.Apoorlypreparedsurfacefocusesattentiononitselfanditsflaws.Sandingorfillingscratchesandgouges,removingdentsandstains,andcarefullyfinishsandingaretheessentialstepsinpreparingforthefinish.Withmanywoods(especiallysoftwoodslikepine)youcancreateamoreevenfinishbysealingthewoodwithsandingsealerimmediatelyafterfinishsanding,thensandingthesealerlightlywith220-gritsandpaperafteritdries.Forexceptionallysmooth,richfinishes(particularlyonopen-grainhardwoodslikemahogany),applywoodgrainfillertofillinchecksandlargepores,creatingasmooth-as-glasssurface.Beforebeginningthefinalpreparationsforthefinish,sandtheworkpiecewithmedium-gritsandpapertoremovesmallscratchesandothersurfaceproblems—thisisespeciallyimportantifyoudidnotusesandingasafinalstageoffinishremoval.Anyscratches,gouges,dents,orstainsthatsurvivetheintermediatesandingshouldberemediedbeforeyoufinish-sand.Doyourfinalstageoffinishsandingimmediatelybeforeyouapplythefinish—thesmoothsurfacecreatedbyfinishsandingiseasilyscratchedordiscolored.

THISSECTIONSHOWS:

FixingFlawsintheSurfaceSurfacePreparation

Sandwoodwithpowersanders,liketherandom-orbitsandershownabove,tomakequickworkoftheinitialfinishsandingstages,whileproducingaverysmoothwoodsurface.

TipsforPreparingaWoodSurface

Choosetherightsandpaperforthejob.Aluminumoxideandgarnetaretwocommontypes.Aluminumoxideisagoodgeneral-useproductsuitableformostrefinishingandfinishingpurposes.Garnetisusuallycheaperthanaluminumoxide,butitwearsoutmuchmorequickly.Usesandpaperwiththepropergrit(highernumbersindicatefinergrit—seechartabove).

Getridofglue.Driedgluewon’tabsorbwoodstainoranyotherpenetratingcoloringagents,sogluespillsandsqueeze-outshowupasbrightblotchesifthey’renotremovedbysandingorscrapingbeforethefinishisapplied.

Applywoodgrainfillerthatapproximatelymatchesthenaturalcolorofyourwood.Availableinlightanddarkcolors,grainfillercreatesasmoothsurfaceinopenwoodgrains.Usuallymanufacturedasagel,itcanbeappliedwithaputtyknifeorarag,buttheexcessmaterialshouldbewipedoffwithaplasticscraper.

Makeyourownsandingsealerbyblendingonepartcleartopcoatmaterialwithoneparttopcoatsolvent.NOTE:Usethesametopcoatmaterialyouplantoapplytotheproject.Sandingsealerisusedbeforecoloringsoftoropen-grainwoodstoachieveevenstainpenetration.Toapply,wipeonaheavycoat,thenwipeofftheexcessafterafewminutes.Sandlightlywith220-gritsandpaperwhendry.

FixingFlawsintheSurface

Surfacedefectssuchasscratches,dents,andnailholesdetractfromtheappearanceofawoodfinish.Inmostcases,thehardestpartofrepairingtheflawsischoosingthebestmethodandtheappropriatetimetodothework.

Ifyouwillbepaintingthewood,orevencoloringitwithadark,one-stepfinishingproduct,woodputtyorevenspackleoraresin-basedautobodyfillercanbeusedtofillscratchesandrepairotherdefects.Butifyou’reapplyingatraditionaltintedorclearwoodfinish,evenstainablewoodputtyisnotlikelytoprovidethehard-to-detectresultsyou’relookingfor.Acleanerrepaircanbehadbyusingawoodputtythathasbeenpretintedtomatchthecolorofthefinishedwood.Applytheputtyafterthewoodhasbeenstained.

Pretintedputty.Thereareseveralsuitablemethodsforfillingnailholesandscratchesinfurniture.Thequestionofwhichwayisbestisdebatedconstantlybywoodfinishers.Applyingstainablewoodputtypriortostainingisacommonapproach,butforalessvisibleresulttryselectingapretintedputtytofillnailholes,dents,scratches,andothersurfacedefectsafterthewoodstainisapplied.

TipsforEliminatingDents

Swelloutshallowdentswithwaterorsteam.Applyafewdropsofdistilledwaterintothedent(left),andletthewatersoakin.Inmostcases,thiswillcausedentedwoodtoswelltoitsoriginalshape.Ifthedentdoesnotswellout,trytouchingthetipofahotirontoawetragdirectlyoverthedent(right).Ifallelsefails,fillthedentwithwoodputty.

ALTERNATIVE:Insteadofahouseholdiron,usethetipofasolderingironandacleandampclothtosteamoutthedent.Asolderingironletsyoudirecttheheatmorepreciselythanahouseholdiron.

TipsforBleachingWood

Two-partwoodbleachcanbeusedtoremoveorlightenstainsinthewoodsurface(leftphoto)orforoveralllighteningofwood(rightphoto).Applyacoatofthefirstpart(PartAorPart1)totheareayouwishtolighten.Beforethefirstpartdries,applyPartB(orPart2).Thetwochemicalswillfoamandcreateableachingactionwhencombined.Reapplyasnecessaryandneutralizewithamixtureofvinegarandwaterwhenfinished.Besuretoreadandfollowthemanufacturer’sdirections.

Removeblackstainscreatedbywaterdamageorcontactwithmetalusingamixtureofoxalicacidcrystals(soldatmostbuildingcentersandpaintstores)anddistilledwater.

TIP:Plugcounterbores

Agoodwaytohiderecessedscrewheadsistodrillcounterboredholesandcapthemwithwoodplugs.Useplugsofthesamewoodspeciesastheprojecttohelpthemblendin.Mostwoodplugssoldatwoodworkingstoresrequirea⅜”-dia.counterborethat’salso⅜”deep.

Neutralizebleachwithwhitevinegar.Ifleftinthewood,bleachcancausediscolorationandraisewoodgrain.Assoonasyouaredonebleaching,wipevinegarontothebleachedareawitharag,thenrinseoffimmediatelywithwater.Drywitharag.

SurfacePreparation

Surfacepreparationensuresaneven,high-qualityfinish.Finish-sandwithprogressivelyfinergritsofsandpaper,startingwith100-grit.Hardwoodrequiresfiner-gritsandpaper(afinalsandingwith220-gritiscommon)thansoftwood(sandto150-grit).Tospeeduptheprocess,useapowersanderforthefirststagesofthesanding,thenswitchtohand-sandingtocompletetheprocess.

Finishsandingalonecreatesasmoothsurface,butbecausewoodabsorbsstainatdifferentrates,thecolorcanbeblotchyanddark.Sealingwoodwithsandingsealer(eitheracommercialproductoryourownconcoctionofthinnedfinish)evensoutthestain-absorptionratesandyieldsalighter,moreevenfinish.Fillingthegrainwithacommercialpastefillercreatesafinalfinishthatfeelsassmoothasitlooks.

Usesandingsealerorgrainfillerforafinefinish.Finishsandingalone(left)canleaveablotchysurfacewhenstainisapplied,butacoatofsandingsealer(center)orgrain-filler(right),orboth,allowsyoutocreateasmoother,moreevenfinish.

HowtoFinish-sand

1Finish-sandallsurfaceswith150-gritsandpaper,followingthedirectionofthegrain.Useafinishingsanderonflatsurfacesandspecialtysandingblocksoncontours.Whensandinghardwood,switchto180-gritpaperandsandagain.

2Raisethewoodgrainbydampeningthesurfacewithawetrag.Letthewooddry,thenskimthesurfacewithafineabrasivepad,followingthegrain.

3Usesandingblockstohand-sandtheentireworkpiecewiththefinest-gritpaperinthesandingsequence.Sanduntilallsandingmarksaregoneandthesurfaceissmooth.(Usebrightsidelightingtocheckyourprogress.)Ifusingsandingsealer,dothatnow.

TipsforUsingSandingSealer

Makeyourownsandingsealerbyblendingonepartcleartopcoatmaterial(notwater-based)withoneparttopcoatsolvent.NOTE:Usethesametopcoatmaterialyouplantoapplytotheproject.

Wipeonaheavycoatofthesealer,thenwipeofftheexcessafterafewminutes.Whendry,sandlightlywith220-gritsandpaper.

HowtoApplyGrainFiller

1Afterfinishsanding,usearagorputtyknifetospreadacoatofgrainfillerontothewoodsurface.Withapolishingmotion,workthefillerintothegrain.Letthefillerdryuntilitbecomescloudy(usuallyabout5minutes).

2Removeexcessfillerbydrawingaplasticscraperacrossthegrainofthewoodata45°angle.Letthegrainfillerdryovernight.

3Lightlyhand-sandthesurface,followingthedirectionofthegrain,with320-gritsandpaper.Finally,dampenacleanclothwithmineralspiritsanduseittothoroughlycleanthesurface.

ColoringWood

Thereareseveralreasonstocolorwood.Themostcommonreasonistoenhancetheappearanceofwoodbyshowingoffafineordistinctivegrainpatternorcreatingabeautifulwoodtone.Butstainandpenetratingoil,thetwomostbasiccoloringagents,canaccomplishmorepracticalresultsaswell.Usingadarkcolorconcealsunevencolorinyourwoodandcanblendtogethertwoormoredifferentwoodtypes—acommonproblemencounteredinrefinishing.

Whenselectingacoloringagentforyourproject,youwillfindavastselectionofproductstochoosefrom.Thereareoil-basedstains,water-basedstains,wipe-ongelstains,penetratingoils,one-stepstain-and-sealantproducts,anilinedyestains…theoptionsseemendless.Tosortthroughthemanyproductsandmaketheselectionthatisbestforyourproject,startbyfindingacoloryoulike.Thencheckthespecificpropertiesofthecoloringagenttodetermineifitisthebestgeneraltypeforyourproject.Makesureithasnocompatibilityproblemswiththetop-coatyouplantouse,orwithanyoldfinishmaterialsthathavenotbeenremoved.

Whichevercoloringagentyouselect,readthedirectionsverycarefullybeforeapplyingittothewood.Dryingtime,applicationtechniques,andcleanupmethodsvarywidelybetweenproducts—evenproductsthataresimilar.Alsotesttheproductonawoodsamplesimilartoyourproject.Whenusingastain,applyenoughcoatstocreatetheexactcolorshadeyouwant—somestainwilldarken(uptoapoint)withadditionalcoatsorbyleavingitonthewoodlongerbeforewiping,whileothertypeswon’tdarken.Theproductlabelwillgivesuggestionsforcontrollingthecolor.

It’salwaysagoodideatokeepacarefulrecordofhowmanycoatsofstain(andwhattype)youappliedforyourreferencewhenyoufinishtheactualworkpiece.

theactualworkpiece.

THISSECTIONSHOWS:

ApplyingWoodStain

Awell-chosen,properlyappliedcolorlayeristhemostimportantcomponentofanattractivewoodfinish.

Oil-basedLiquidStain

Oil-basedliquidtraditionallyhasbeenthemostcommontypeofwoodstain,butitspopularityisdecliningduetoenvironmentalandcleanupfactors.Advantages:•doesnotraisewoodgrain•slowdryingtimeincreasesworkability•permanentandcolorfast•canbebuiltuptocontrolcolor•conditionsandsealswood•lesslikelytobleedthanwater-basedstainDrawbacks:•harmfulvapors;flammable;hardtoclean•regulatedorrestrictedinsomestates•decreasingavailability•unpleasantodorCompatibility:•canbeusedwithmosttopcoatsRecommendedUses:•previouslystainedwood•woodfinishtouch-up

Water-basedLiquidStain

Water-basedliquidstainiswipedorbrushedontocreateacolorlayerthancanbedarkenedwithadditionalapplications.Advantages:•easytocleanup,safetouse•widerangeofcolorsavailable•canbebuiltupinlayerstocontrolfinalcolor•driesquicklyDrawbacks:•canraisewoodgrain(requiressandingforanevensurface)•canchiporscuffifnotproperlytopcoatedCompatibility:•bondswellwithmosttopcoatsRecommendedUses:•floors•woodwork•previouslyfinishedfurniture—canbe“painted”ontocovercolorvariations•tabletops,eatingsurfaces,children’sfurnitureandtoys

GelStain

Gelstains,usuallyoil-based,provideevensurfacecolorthatishighlycontrollableduetothethicknessoftheproduct.Advantages:•veryneatandeasytoapply;willnotrun•doesnotraisewoodgrain•driesevenly•canbebuiltuptodeepencolor•canbebuffedtocreateahardsurfaceDrawbacks:•limitedcolorselection•moreexpensivethanmostotherstaintypes•hardtocleanup•requiresbuffingbetweencoatsCompatibility:•canbeusedwithmosttopcoatsRecommendedUses:•woodworkandfurniturewithverticalsurfaces•furniturewithspindlesandotherroundedparts

AnilineDye

Liquidorpowderanilinedyeisaddedtodenaturedalcoholorwatertocreateadyestainthatcanbebrushedorsprayed.Advantages:•smallmoleculespenetrateintowood(insteadofbindingtothesurface)•easytodarkenorlightenorblendthecolorwhenmixing•colorcanbelightenedafterapplicationbywipingthewoodwithsolvent•evensoutcolorvariationsbetterthanpigmentDrawbacks:•requiresmixing(limitedavailabilityofpremixeddyestain)•relativelyexpensive,especiallyifyouaremixingtoaverydarktone•raiseswoodgrainifmixedwithwaterCompatibility:•bondswellwithmosttopcoatsRecommendedUses:•woodwithcolorvariationbetweensapwoodandheartwood(e.g.,walnutandcherry)•woodwithirregularstructure(e.g.,whiteoakwithprominentraysandflakesinadditiontoopen

whiteoakwithprominentraysandflakesinadditiontoopengrain)•customfinisheswithnon-stockstaincolor

TipsforColoringWood

Testcoloringagentsonaninconspicuousareaoftheworkpiecetoseehowthecolorwilllookoncethestainisappliedanddry.Coloringagentsoftenhaveaverydifferentappearanceontheactualworkpiecethanoncolorchipsatthestoredisplay.

Sealexposedendgrainwithsandingsealer,thensandlightlywith220-gritsandpaper.Unsealedendgrainabsorbsmorestainthanfacegrain,causingittolookdarker.Becarefultokeepsealerofftheface-grainareas.

Useaclean,lint-freeclothwhenwipingpenetratingoilorstainontowoodsurfaces.Ragsfromwell-worncottonT-shirtsmakeexcellentstainingcloths.Alwayswearrubberorlatexgloveswhenwipingstain.

Dyestainversuspigmentstain.Thevastmajorityofthepremixedwoodstainsyoucanbuyathardwarestores,woodworkersstoresandpaintstoresarepigment-basedstains.Thesestainscontainabinderthatgluesthepigmentmolecules(largerthandyemolecules)tothewood,sotheydonotactuallypenetrateandcolorthewoodfiberslikeadyestain.Amongfinewoodworkers,dyestainsarevaluedbecausetheydonotobscureormuddywoodgrainandtheyareeasytoadjusttocreatecustomwoodtones.Theycanbehardtofind,though.Applyingapigmentstainoveradyestaincancreateaninterestingeffectthataddsdepthtothewoodfinish(inset).

Preparewoodforstainwithsandingsealer(alsocalledwoodconditioner).Sealerreducesblotchinessandisespeciallyusefulonsoftwoodsorhardwoodswithanopengrain.Itissoldpremixed(asabove)oryoucanmakeyourown.

Judgecolorwhilestainiswet.Acommonmistakewhenstainingistothinkthatthecoloristoolightoncethestainingagentdries.Inalmostallcases,stainedwoodwillalsohaveaclearprotectivetopcoatthatdarkensthefinish.Judgestaincolorwhilethestainisstillwet—that’sclosertohowitwilllookafterthefinishisapplied.

HowtoPrepareAnilineDyeStain

1Anilinedyescomeinbothliquidandpowderform(inset)andmostcanbemixedwitheitherwaterordenaturedalcohol.Becauseitdoesnotraisewoodgrain,alcoholisabetterchoiceformostapplications.Alcoholdoesevaporatemorequickly,soifyou’replanningtostainalargeareaandaren’tconcernedaboutraisingthegrain,thenusewatertosuspendthedye.Addthealcoholtoyourcontainerfirst.

2Withasufficientquantityofdenaturedalcoholinaglassorplasticcontainer,beginaddingasmallamountofdye.Stirandtestthecoloronapieceofwoodscrapbyblottingwithacleanpapertowel.Continueaddingdyeuntilthestainisthedesiredtone.

ApplyingWoodStain

Woodstainisageneraltermdescribinganumberofdifferentcoloringagentswithverydifferentproperties.Oil-basedorwater-based,inliquidformorasagel,stainisaverycontrollablecoloringagent.Thecoloroftencanbelightenedbyscrubbing,anditusuallycanbedarkenedbyapplyingadditionalcoats.

Beforestaining,sealallendgrainandtestthestaincolor.

EVERYTHINGYOUNEED:

Tools:paintbrushes.

Materials:sandingsealer,stainingcloths,liquidorgelstain,fineabrasivepads,sandpaper.

Creatingconsistentcoloriseasywithstain,especiallygelstain,whichclingstoawkwardsurfaceswithoutpooling.

HowtoApplyLiquidStain

1Stirthestainthoroughlyandapplyaheavycoatwithabrushorcloth.Stirthestainoftenasyouwork.Letthestainsoakinaccordingtomanufacturer’sinstructions.

2Removetheexcessstainwithaclean,lint-freecloth.Wipeagainstthegrainfirst,thenwiththegrain.Ifthecoloristoodark,tryscrubbingthesurfacewithwaterormineralspirits.Letthestaindry,thenbuffthesurfacewithafineabrasivepad.

3Applylightcoatsofstainuntilthedesiredcolorisachieved.Buffbetweencoatsandafterthefinalcoatbeforeaddingthetopcoat.

HowtoApplyGelStain

1Stirthestain,thenworkitintothesurfacesoftheworkpiecewithastainingcloth,rubbinginacircularmotion.Recoatanyareasthatdryoutasyouwork,andcoverasmuchoftheworkpieceaspossible.

2Useastiff-bristledbrush,suchasastencilbrush,toapplythegelinhard-to-reachareas.

3Letthestainsoakinaccordingtomanufacturer’sdirections,thenwipeofftheexcesswithacleanrag,usingapolishingmotion.Buffthestainedsurfacewiththewoodgrain,usingasoft,cleancloth.

4Applyadditionalcoatsuntilthedesiredcolorhasbeenachieved.(Mostmanufacturersrecommendatleastthreecoats.)Letthestaindry,thenbufftheworkpiecewithafineabrasivepad.

PaintingWood

Mostwoodworkerswanttoshow-casethenaturalwoodtonesoftheirprojects,sopaintingisafinishingoptionthatissometimesoverlooked.However,therearemanywoodprojectsthataredesignedtobepainted,includinganumberinthisbook.Paintingsurfacesalsoallowsyoutouselessexpensivewoods,yetstillhaveimpressiveresults.Usepaintasanalternativetowoodstaintogiveplainwoodasplashofcolororadecorativetouch;orsimplyuseittohidewear,low-qualitymaterials,orunattractivewood.Furnitureandwoodworkgenerallyshouldbepaintedwithwater-basedoroil-basedenamelpaintexceptwhenusingdecorativepaintingtechniquesthatcallforflatwallpaint.Enamelpaintformsatough,protectivecoatthatresistsmoisture,chipping,andscratching.Itisavailableindozensofpremixedcolors,andinglossandsemi-glossversions.Or,youcanhavespecialcolorscustom-mixedatapaintstore.

Paintbrushesforwoodincludestraighttrimbrushesforflatareas,andtaperedbrushesforedges.Usesyntheticbrushes(nylonorpolyesterbristles)forbothwater-basedandoil-basedpaint.

Water-basedPaintWater-basedpaintforwoodisusuallysoldas“latexenamel”or“acrylicenamel.”Becausewater-basedpaintcanraisewoodgrain,useawater-basedprimertopreparethewood,thensandtheprimedsurfacebeforeapplyingthepaint.Thecoloringagentsinwater-basedpaintsettlequickly,sostirthepaintoftenasyouwork.Advantages:•saferfortheenvironment•lesstoxicthanoil-based

paints•easycleanupwithsoapandwater•driesquickly

•canbethinnedwithwaterDrawbacks:•raiseswoodgrain•scratcheseasily•cleanupisdifficult

afterpaintdries•softenswithexposuretomoisture•cannotbeappliedinthickcoatsCompatibility:

•willnotadheretomosttopcoats•maybeusedoverotherwater-basedpaintsRecommendedUses:

•children’stoysandfurniture•cabinetry•woodwork

Oil-basedPaintOil-basedpaint(alsocalledalkydpaint)driestoaharderfinishthanwater-basedpaintandoffersthebestprotectionforwoodthatisexposedtowear.Itisstillthepreferredpainttypeofmostprofessionalpainters,butthispreferenceischangingaswater-basedpaintsbecomestrongerandmoreversatile.Useoil-basedprimerwithoil-basedpaint.Advantages:•hard,scratch-resistantfinish•unaffectedbymoisture

•doesnotraisewoodgrain•driestoaverysmoothfinishDrawbacks:

•releasestoxicvapors•slowdryingtime•requiresmineralspiritsforcleanup•useisrestrictedin

somestatesCompatibility:•maybeappliedovervarnishoroil-basedpolyurethane

•maybeusedoveroil-orwater-basedpaintsRecommendedUses:

•stairsandrailings•floorsanddoors•woodwork•previouslyfinishedwood

Stirpaintwithamixingbitattachedtoaportabledrillforfast,thoroughmixing.Keepthemixerbitmovingconstantly.Repeatedlylowerthemixerbladetothebottomofthecan,thenraiseittothetopofthecantomixinsettledpigment.

Strainpainttoremovelumps,dirt,andotherforeignmaterials.Commercialpaintstrainersareavailable,oryoucanmakeyourownfromcheeseclothornylonstockings.

ApplyingPaint

Forasmoothsurfacefreefromlapmarks,holdyourpaint-brushata45°angle,andapplyjustenoughpressuretoflexthebristlesslightly.

Paintingwoodisverymuchlikepaintingwallsandothercommondo-it-yourselfpaintingprojects.Wheneveryoupaintanything,preparationiscritical.Forwood,thatmeanssandingthesurfaceuntilitisflatandsmooth,thensealingwithprimersothepaintabsorbsevenly(seeTips,below).Althoughitisadifferentproduct,primerisappliedusingthesametechniquesaspaint.Inadditiontosealingthewood,itkeepsresinsinthewoodfrombleedingthroughthepaintlayer.Cleanupsolvents,thinningagents,dryingtime,andcoveragevarywidelyfromoneenamelpainttoanother.Readthemanufacturer’sdirectionscarefully.Forbestresults,designateaclean,dust-freeareaforpainting.

EVERYTHINGYOUNEED:Tools:paintbrushes,sandingblock.Materials:primer,paint,cleanrags,tackcloth,sandpaper,maskingtape,polyurethane.

TipsforPreparingWoodforPainting

Previouslypaintedwoodcanberepaintedwithoutpriming,butiftheoldpaintedsurfaceisbadlychippedordamaged,primerishelpful.Fillscratchesandnickswithwoodputty,andsandthesurfacesmoothbeforepainting.

Clearfinishedwoodshouldbestrippedandsandedbeforepriming.Paintwillnotadherewelltomosttopcoatfinishes.

HowtoPaintWood

1Finish-sandthewood.Vacuumthesurfacesorwipewithatackclothafteryousandtoremovealltracesofsandingdustfromtheworkpiece.

2Primethewoodwithanevencoatofprimer(usewater-basedprimerwithwater-basedpaint,andoil-basedprimerwithoil-basedpaint).Smoothoutbrushmarksasyouwork,andsandwith220-gritsandpaperwhendry.

3Maskanyadjacentareasthatwillbepaintedadifferentcolor,usingmaskingtape.Presstheedgesofthetapefirmlyagainstthewood.

4Applyathincoatofpaint,brushingwiththegrain.Whendry,sandwith400-gritsandpaper,thenwipewithatackcloth.Applyatleastonemoreheaviercoat,sandingandwipingwithatackclothbetweenadditionalcoats.Donotsandthelastcoat.

OPTION:Applyclearpolyurethanetopcoattosurfacesthatwillgetheavywear.Beforeapplying,wet-sandthepaintwith600-gritwet/drysandpaper,thenwipewithatackcloth.Usewater-basedpolyurethaneoverlatexpaint,andoil-basedoveroil-basedpaint.

DecorativePaintingTechniques

Applyacreativetouchtoyourwoodprojectwithdecorativepaintingtechniques.Antiquefinishes,stencils,andcolorwashes(nextpage)givefurnitureanddecorativeitemsarusticlook.Thefollowingpagesshowsomein-depthprojectsforcreatingadditonalagedfinisheswithpaint.Ahandfulofspecialtypaintbrushes,somequalityfinishingmaterials,afewhelpfultools,andalittlecreativityareallyouneedtocreatetheseuniquepaintedfinishesonyourprojects.Withallofthesetechniques,itisbesttopracticeonscrapsbeforeapplyingtoyourproject.

AntiqueFinish

Antiquefinishesre-createthelookofwornpaint.Finish-sandandapplyabasecoatofwoodstain.Ifyouusewater-basedstainandwater-basedpaint,thestainmaybleedthroughthepaint.Forcertaincolorsthismaybeadesirableeffect.Topreventbleedthrough,applyatopcoatofsatinfinishpolyurethane.Allowthetopcoattodryandapplyalayerofwater-basedpaint.Toenhancetheillusionofage,applyasecondcoatofpaintinadifferentcolor.Oncethepaintisdry,sandrandomlychosenareaswith100-gritsandpaper,varyingthesandingpressure(photo,left).Sandthecornersoftheworkpiecewith220-gritsandpapertocompletethisvintagefinish.

StenciledFinish

Stencileddesignsaddabright,decorativetouchtovarnishedorpaintedwood.Purchasereadymadestencilsatacraftstore,orcutyourown.Positionthestencilonthewood,andsecureitwithtape.Stipplethewoodbydabbingpaintontothesurfacethroughthestencil,usingastencilingbrush(photo,left).Acryliccraftpaintsareagoodchoiceforstenciling,oryoucanpurchasespecialstencilingpaints.Allowthepainttodrybeforeremovingthestencil.Ifmorethanonecolorwillbeused,realignthestencilandapplyeachcolor,oneatatime,startingwiththelightestcolor.Allowthestenciledareatodrycompletelyandtopcoatwithaclearfinishforprotection.

ColorWash

Colorwashesproduceathin,semi-transparentcoatofpaintonbarewood.Dilutewater-basedpaintbymixingonepartpainttofourpartswater(themoredilutedthepaintmixture,thethinnerthepaintlayerwillbe).Brushthethinnedpaintontothewood,workingwiththegrain.Wipethesurfaceimmediatelywithalint-freecloth,removingpaintuntilyouachievethedesiredcolortone(photo,left).Repeattheprocesstodarkenthecolor,ifneeded.Softenthelookbyscuffingthepaintedsurfacewithafineabrasivepadwhendry.

AgedFinish

Anagedfinishconfersinstantcharacteronanypieceoffurniture.Withnotmuchmorethanawaveofyourmagicpaintbrush,youcantransformanordinarynewpieceoffurnitureintoatreasurethatappearstohavebeenpartofthefamilyforgenerations.Theactualprocessofagingafinishisquitesimple,butdoingitwelltakessomeplanningandalittleimagination.Beforestartingaproject,lookatthepiececarefullyandthinkabouthowitisusedandwhichareaswouldshowwearifitactuallywereold.Generallyspeaking,wearfirstappearsintheareaswhereapieceistouchedoften—behindoraroundhandles,ontheedges,atthebacksofseats,andinthecenterofthetopfrontrungofachair.Thesearetheareasyoushouldplantodistress.

EVERYTHINGYOUNEED:Tools:cordlessscrewdriver,2”synthetic-bristlebrush,1½”synthetic-bristlebrush,puttyknife.Materials:extra-finesandpaper,tackcloth,softcottonrags,smallcanofwater-basedwoodstain,furniturewax,flat-finishlatexpaintinadarkcolor,flat-finishlatexpaintinlightercolor,satin-finishpolyurethanespray.

Vintagepiecestypicallyshowwearintheplaceswherethey’vebeenhandledforgenerations.Distressingthepaintintheseareascreatesanauthenticlookingagedfinish.

HowtoCreateanAgedFinish

1Takeoutanydrawers.Carefullyremoveallthehardwarefromthepiece.Mostdrawerhandleshaveascrew(ortwo)ontheinsidefaceofthedrawer.Removethescrewsandpulloffthehandles.Whenremovinghinges,supportthedoorasyouremovethescrews.

2Lightlysandthesurfacewithfine-gritsandpaper.Sand—inthedirectionofthegrain—untilthesurfaceissmoothandeven.Removethesandingdustwithtackcloth.

3Staintheentirepiecewithdarkwater-basedstain,suchaswalnutordarkoak.Wipeonanevencoatofstain,usingabrushorcleancloth.Letthestainpenetratethewoodforaboutoneminute,andthenwipeofftheexcesswithaclean,drycloth.Letthestaindryforatleastfourhours.

4Applyfurniturewaxtotheareasyouwanttodistress,suchastheedgesandunderanyhandles.Drawaquicksketchofthepieceandmarktheareaswhereyouhaveappliedthewax.

5Applythelighterpaintcoloroveronesideofthepiece,paintingwiththegrainofthewood.(Paintonlyonesideatatime,becausethepaintmustbewetforthenextstep.)

6Workingquickly,applythedarkerpaintcolortothesamesideofthepiece,blendingthedarkerpaintintothelightershade.Continuepaintingonesideatatimeuntilthewholepieceispainted.Letthepaintdryatleast40minutes,butnolongerthananhour.

7Scrapethepaintofftheareaswhereyouappliedfurniturewax,usingaputtyknife.(Ifyoudon’trememberexactlywhereyouappliedthewax,refertothediagramyoumadeinStep4.)

8Usefine-gritsandpapertosmoothanyroughspotscreatedbytheputtyknife.Letthepiecedrycompletely.

9Sprayacoatofpolyurethanefinishontheentirepieceandletitdry.Applyasecondcoatandletitdry.

10Whenthefinishiscompletelydry,replacethehardware.

VARIATION:Ifyouwantpaintratherthanstaintoshowinthedistressedareas,painttheentirepieceandletitdry.Next,applyfurniturewaxtoselectedareasandthenaddthetwopaintcolorsandletthemdry.Sandawaythepaintoverthewaxedareas,beingcarefultosandonlydowntothefirstpaintcolor.

AgedRubbedFinish

Arubbedfinishisaneasyandeffectivefinish,especiallyonlightwood,suchaspineorwhitefir.Itisn’tnecessarytodistressarubbedfinish,butitdoeslendalittlemorecharactertothepiece.Whendistressingarubbedfinish,rememberthatthepaintshouldbethoroughlydry.Ifpossible,letthepiecedryovernightbeforeyoustartdistressingit.Also,rememberthatthemoreyousand,themorewornthepiecewillappear.It’seasytogobackandsandmorebutverydifficulttosuccessfullyaddpaint,soworkslowlyandevaluateyourworkperiodically.

EVERYTHINGYOUNEED:Tools:cordlessscrewdriver.Materials:medium-gritsandpaper,tackcloth,painter’stape(optional),thickwhitecottonrag,flatinteriorlatexpaint,satinfinishpolyurethanespray.

HowtoCreateanAged,RubbedFinish

1Tapebrownpaperoveranyglassandremoveanyhardwarefromthepiece.Iftherearedrawers,removethem.Lightlysandthesurfaces,andthenremovethesandingdust,usingatackcloth.

2Dipathickcottonrag(aclothdiaperworksgreat)intothepaint.Usingaback-and-forthmotionandfollowingthegrainofthepaint,rubthepaintintothewood.Letthepiecedryovernight.

3Sandawaysomeoftherubbed-onpainttorevealthewoodbeneath.Concentrateonareaswherewearwouldnaturallyshow—atcorners,behindhandles,andontheedges.

4Wipetheentirepiecewithatackclothtoremovethepaintresidue.Whentheentirepieceisclean,applyalightcoatofclearpolyurethanefinish.Letthepolyurethanedry,andthenaddasecondcoat.Removethemaskingtapeandpaper,andsetthepieceasidetodryovernight.Whenthepieceisthoroughlydry,replacethehardware.

ApplyingTopcoats

Asprayedfinishishardtobeatforspeed,convenience,andsmooth,evenresults.Highqualitysprayingequipmentisacriticalcomponentofasuccessfulsprayedfinish.

Topcoatfinishessealthewood,protectthefinishfromscratchesandotherwear,andincreasethevisualappealofthewood.Becausetheydryclear,topcoatshighlightthecoloringandnaturalfigureofthewood.Formostprojects,atopcoatoftungoilfinish,polyurethane,orpastewaxwillgiveyourwoodtheprotectionitneedsandthefinishedappearanceyoudesire.Whenchoosingatopcoat,considerdurability,sheen,andcompatibilitywithanycoloringlayers.Otherfactors,likedryingtime,easeofapplicationandcleanup,andsafeness,shouldalsoinfluenceyourchoice.Ifpossible,checksamplesatbuildingcentersorpaintstorestoseeifaparticulartopcoatissuitableforyourworkpiece.Someone-stepstain-and-sealproductsarealsoavailable.Testtheseproductsonscrapwoodbeforeusingthem.Thechoiceoffinishingproductisimportant,butsoisthechoiceofapplicationtechnique.Andinmostcases,thetwochoicesarehighlyinterrelated.

Wipe-onfinishisfastandforgivingtoapplyandrequiresverylittlecleanup.

Brush-onfinishoffersexcellentcoverageandcontrol,butistimeconsumingtoapply.

Rubbedfinish,suchaspastewax,allowsyoutocontrolthelevelofglossandiseasytoapplyandremove.

TopcoatingFinishProductsCompletelyunderstandingwoodfinishproductsrequiresanadvanceddegreeinchemistry,butforthefairlynarrowapplicationoftopcoatingfurnitureandwoodfloorsandtrim,alittlegeneralinformationgoesalongway.Asthewoodfinishproductshaveadvancedandmatured,thedifferencesbetweenthemhavenarrowed.Whereonceitwasusefultotalkaboutwater-baseversusoil-baseorshellacversusvarnish,modernfinishproductsseektoexploitthebestqualitiesofalltypes(aswellasthemostprofitablemanufacturingprocesses)tothepointthattheindustryisfairlywellhybridized.Theimportantquestionsnowconcerntheusers’needsandpreferences,particularlywhenitcomestofavoritemethodofapplication.Ifyou’relookingforafinishthat’sfastandvirtuallyfool-proof,tryawipe-onproduct.Thesemaybecalledwipe-onvarnish,gelvarnish,wipe-onpolyurethane,orsimplywipe-onfinish.Youapplytheproductwithacleanragandwaitforittodry.Multiplelayersareusuallyrequired.Ifyou’relookingforafinishthatdoesn’thavethatcharacteristicplasticlookwhenitdries,avoidpolyurethanevarnishandotherpolymerizedproducts.Instead,usenonpolymerizedtung-oilfinishorshellac(eitherpre-mixedorflakes).Forafinishthatiseasytoapply,driesinstantly,andisrepairable,trypastewax.

Penetratingoilsareformulatedtosoakintothewoodporesandleavetheirprotectivemoleculesbehind,creatingadeeperandmorescratchresistanttopcoat.Thesefinishescontainslow-curingsolventssuchaslinseedortungoilthatallowtheresinstobedrawnmoredeeplyintothewood.

Film-formingfinishesincludeshellacs,lacquer,polyurethaneandvarioustypesofvarnish.Theyarefarandawaythelargestclassoffinish,andingeneraltheyareeasytoapply.Theycanbewater-based,oil-basedorevenacombinationofthetwo.Lookforproductthatisdesignedandlabeledforyourapplication:forexample,“floorfinish.”

Pastewaxdoesnotpenetratethewoodatall,butresidesonthesurfacesoitiseasytostripoffandrefresh.

TipsforApplyingWoodFinishes

Stirtopcoatfinishesthoroughlywithacleanstirstick.Shakingthecontainerorstirringtoovigorouslycancreateairbubblesthatcausepockmarksinthefinishwhenitdries.

Transferleftovertopcoatmaterialstosmallercontainerstominimizetheamountofairthatcanreactwiththeproduct.Tungoilandpolyurethaneareespeciallysusceptibletothickeningwhenexposedtoair.

Strainfinishes.Thelowersolventcontentofwater-basedvarnishmakesiteasieronyournose,butit’smorelikelytoleaveundissolvedbitsinthecan.Strainitthroughapaperfilter.

Maketackclothsbymoisteningcheeseclothinmineralspirits.Applyaspoonfulofvarnish(oranyothercleartopcoatmaterial)tothecheesecloth,andkneadtheclothuntilthevarnishisabsorbedevenly.Makeseveraltackclothsandstoretheminaglassjarwithalid.

Sandbetweentopcoatlayers,using600-gritwet/drysandpaper,tosmoothoutthefinish.Wipedowntheworksurfacewithatackclothaftersanding.Savetimeandensurebetterresultsbycreatingaclean,dust-freeworkarea.

Applypolyurethaneinseveralthinlayers(left)forbestresults.Applyingtoomuchfinishatonce(right)slowsdownthedryingtime,andcausesrunning,wrinkling,orsagging.

Brushoutlapmarkstocreateasmoothsurfacebeforethepolyurethanedries.Smallbrushmarkswillshow,butwillblendtogetherasthefinishdries.Becauseitdriesslowly,oil-basedpolyurethanegivesyoumoretimetobrushoutlapmarks.

Examinethesurfaceaftereachcoatofpolyurethanedries,usingabrightsidelight.Wet-sandwithafineabrasivepadtoremovedustandothersurfaceproblems,likeairbubbles.Aftersanding,wipethesurfacecleanwithatackcloth.

PenetratingOilFinishes

Applypenetratingoilinheavycoats,usingacleanstainingrag.

Penetratingoilisanexcellentproductforcreatingeven,naturalwoodtonesthatdonotobscurethewoodgrain.OftencalledDanishoilorrubbingoil,mostpenetratingoilcanbebuffedtoahardsurfaceafterapplication.Whenappliedtodecorativeitemsandfurniturethatdoesnotreceiveasignificantamountofwear,penetratingoilcanbeusedwithoutadditionaltopcoatingforadeep,low-lusterfinish.Whenusingpenetratingoil,besuretofollowthemanufacturer’srecommendationsforapplicationanddryingtime.Insomewoods,oilfinisheswillseepoutofwoodporesforupto72hourswhilethefinishdries.

EVERYTHINGYOUNEED:Materials:stainingcloths,penetratingoil,fineabrasivepads.

TipsforUsingPenetratingOil

Cleanthesurfacesthoroughlywithaclothandmineralspiritsbeforeapplyinganyfinishproduct.Itisveryimportantwhenapplyingpenetratingoiltocreatecleanwoodsurfacessotheproductisnotblockedfromthewoodpores.

Buffpenetratingoilfinishestoincreasesheen.Forahighergloss,buffthesurfacewithapowerpolisherorapolishingbonnetandacordlessdrill.

HowtoApplyPenetratingOil

1Prepareforthestain,thenapplyaheavycoatofpenetratingoiltoallsurfaces,usingastainingcloth.Wait15to30minutes,recoatinganyareasthatbegintodryout.Applyoiltoallsurfaces,andletitsoakintothewoodfor30to60minutes.

2Wipethesurfacedrywithacleancloth,rubbingwiththewoodgrain.Applyanothercoatofoilwithacleancloth,thenlettheoildryovernight.NOTE:Twocoatsaresufficientinmostcases,sincefurthercoatswillnotdarkenthefinishcolor.

3Dabafewdropsofpenetratingoilontoafineabrasivepad,thenrubthesurfacesuntilsmooth.Lettheoildryforatleast72hoursbeforeapplyingatopcoat.Ifyoudonotplantotopcoatthefinish,buffwithasoftclothtohardentheoilfinish.

4Wet-sandwithafineabrasivepadonthefinaltopcoatlayertocreateafinishwiththeexactamountofglossyouwant.

Film-coatingFinishes

Versatileandeasytouse,film-formingfinisheslikewater-basedpolyurethaneareverypopular.

Film-formingfinishesareappliedtothewoodsurfacebywiping,brushing,orsprayingandtheyformaprotectivelayerasthesolventevaporates.Commontypesincludepolyurethane(bothwater-basedandoil-based),oil-basedvarnish(includingsparvarnish),shellac,andlacquer.Seethediscussiononpage79formoreinformationonchoosingfinishproducts.Startwithathinnedcoatwhenapplyingafilm-formingfinish.Inaseparatecontainer,usethesolventorthinnerrecommendedontheproductlabeltoreducethethicknessofthefinishsoitisalmostwatery.Allowplentyoftimeforthisthinnedbasecoattodryandthenbeginapplyingaddiitonallayers.Itisalwaysbettertoapplymanythincoatsthanacoupleofthickones(atypicalshellacfinish,forexample,shouldhavesixcoatsormore).Mostfilmfinishesshouldbesandedorbuffedlightlybetweencoats.Oneexceptionisshellac—becausethealcoholsolventdissolvesthepreviouscoatswhenanewcoatisapplied,sandingispointless.Thefinalcoatshouldbesandedorbuffed,however.

ChoosingFinishGloss

Film-formingfinishesdrytovarioussurfacesheensincludingsatin,semi-gloss,andgloss.However,aglossvarnishcanbedulledtolessersheensbyrubbingitwithsteelwoolorfineabrasives.

Mixyourownshellacbydissolvingshellacflakesindenaturedalcohol.Availableinorange(alsocalledamber),garnet,andblondecolors,naturalshellachasanearlyunlimitedshelflifeinflakeformandispleasanttoworkwith.

HowtoApplyFilm-coatingFinishes

1Sealunstainedwoodwitha1:1mixtureofpolyurethaneandthinningagent(checkproductlabel),appliedwithacleanclothorbrush.Letthesealerdry.Wipeoffexcesssealerwithacleancloth.NOTE:Furniturethathasbeencoloredwithstainorpenetratingoildoesnotneedaseal-coat.

2Applyacoatofpolyurethane,startingatthetopoftheprojectandworkingyourwaydown.Useagood-qualitybrush.Whenthesurfaceiscovered,smoothoutthefinishbylightlybrushinginonedirectiononly,paralleltothegrain.Letdry,thensandbetweencoats,using600-gritwet/drysandpaper.

3Applythesecondcoat.Tokeepthefinishfromrunning,alwaystrytopositiontheworkpiecesothesurfacebeingtop-coatedishorizontal.

4OPTION:Afterthefinalcoatdries,wet-sandthesurfacewithafineabrasivepadtoremoveanysmallimperfectionsanddiminishthegloss.

SprayedFinishes

HVLP(HighVolumeLowPressure)sprayershavemadeitpossibleevenforbeginnerstoachievethesmoothnessofsurfaceandeaseofapplicationthatcanonlybeaccomplisedbyspraying.

Sprayedfinishesaren’tjustforprofessionalsanymore.EvenforDIYerssprayingisafast,efficientprocessthatcanconsistentlydeliverfurniturefinishesthataresmootherthanmostofuscouldeverhopetocreatewithabrush.Provided,thatis,thattheequipmentisusedcorrectly.ThesprayersthatarebestsuitedforhomeusebyDIYersareHVLPsprayersandairlesssprayingequipment.Previously,asprayedfinishcouldonlybeaccomplishedwithanaerosolcanoracompressor-drivenspraygun.Aerosolcansarestillavailableandmakesensefortopcoatingsmallprojectsinsomecases,buttheyareverylimitedinselectionandtheyarerelativelycostly.Bestsuitedforautobodywork,pneumaticspraygunsdeliverfartoomuchproductfartooquicklyforwoodfurniturefinishing.Incontrast,HVLP(HighVolumeLowPressure)sprayersareeasytouseandcreateminimalamountsofoverspray.MostHVLPsprayershaveaturbineblowerthatsuppliesthehigh-volumeairflownecessarytoatomizetheliquidbeingsprayed,butsomenewermodelsconvertcompressedairintoasoftspraythat’ssuitableforfurnitureapplications.

TwoTypesofHVLPSprayers

Turbine-drivenHVLPsprayershaveaself-containedturbineblowerthatsupplieslargevolumesofuncompressedairthroughthesprayernozzle,atomizingthefinishmaterialanddispensingitinasoft,manageablemist.

Compressor-drivenHVLPsprayersaresuppliedbyanaircompressor,usuallyatleast3hpand20gallonsinsize.Theyfunctionsimilarlytoturbine-stylemodels,excepttheproductisnotwarmedup(whichcancausethefinishtodrytooquickly).

GravityfeedHVLPspraygunshaveasmallfinishcupthat’smountedatthetopofthegunsoitflowsdownintothenozzleunassisted.Gunswithbottom-mountedcupsrelyonsuctioncreatedbythesprayerturbineorcomrpessortosiphonthematerialupandintothenozzle.

Atypicalsiphon-feedHVLPspraygunhasaninletinthegunhandlethatallowscompressedairfromtheturbineorcompressortoflowupthroughanairvalveandintoafluidvalve,wheretheairforcesthefinishoutthroughaneedleandthenanozzle,whichatomizesthefinishintoafinemist.

SPRAYFINISHINACANYoudon’tneedtoownasinglepieceofsprayingequipmenttobeabletoapplyasprayedfinishtoyourfinishingprojectsathome.Mostfinishmaterialsareavailableinaerosol-stylespraycans.Whileconvenient,theseproductscontainveryhighconcentrationsofthinner—expecttoapplytwiceasmanycoatsasyouwouldwithanHVLPsprayer.

SprayingBoothSprayingonafinishcreateshazardousvaporandmessyoverspray.Foryourprotectionandconvenience,doasmuchofthesprayingaspossibleoutdoors,makingsuretodirectthesprayawayfromhouses,cars,andneighboringproperty.Youwillencountertimesandsituations,however,wheresprayingonafinishoutdoorsisnotpracticalorsmart.Forthosetimeswhenyoumustsprayindoors,simplyopeninganearbywindowwon’tprovideadequateventilation.Italsoletsdry,airborneatomizedfinishhoveroveryourprojectandfinallysettleontothewetfinishlayer,contaminatingit.Thebestsolutionforindoorsprayingistopurchaseaprofessionalspraybooth.Butfewofushavethefloorspaceormoney($5,000andup)tojustifythepurchase.Forlessthan$100youcancreateyourownportablesprayboothusingsheetplastic,furnacefilters,aboxfan,andawindow.

IMPORTANTSAFETYNOTICE:Usethissprayboothonlywhensprayingnon-flammablefinishmaterials.Flammablevaporcreatedbythesprayercouldcomeincontactwiththeelectricfanmotor,potentiallycausingcombustionoranexplosion.Tosprayflammablefinishproductssuchaslacquer,oil-basestainsandtopcoats,shellac,oradhesives,workoutdoorsoruseafanwithanexplosion-proofmotororamotorthat’sshieldedfromthesprayarea.

TipsforPreparingtoSpray

Optimizethespraypattern.Loosenthecollarandturntheaircapasfarcounterclockwiseasitgoesandthentightenthecollar.

Thinthefinishorpaintaccordingtotherecommendationsonthecontainerandfollowingtheguidelinesforyoursprayer.

Testthespraypatternbyfillingthecupandsprayingontoapieceofcardboardthat’sproppedupinaverticalposition.Sprayenoughmaterialsothespraypatternareastartstorundownindrips.Whenthedripsarespacedroughlythesamedistanceapart,thesprayerisadjustedcorrectly.

Positionalightsothesurfaceyou’resprayingisreflective(theangleofincidenceshouldequaltheangleofreflection—i.e.,ifwe’reviewingthesurfacefroma30°angle,thelightshouldbepositionedata30°angleontheoppositeside.

HowtoApplyaSprayedFinish

1FilltheHVLPsprayercupwithfinishingproduct,thinnedtotheconsistencyrecommendedinyoursprayermanual.Adjusttheaircapandnozzletothedesiredspraypattern.Testthesprayonacardboardboxtomakesureitissprayingatthedesiredvolumeandpattern.

2Settheobjectinthesprayareaandwipeitwithaslightlydampenedcloth(ifyou’reapplyingwater-basedfinish)oratackclothtoremovedustanddebrisparticles.

3Whenfinishingobjectswithlegs,turntheobjectupside-downandspraytheundersidefirst.Thespraygunworksbestwhenholdingthespraygun8”to10”awayfromthetargetandsprayingataslightdownwardangle.

4Spintheobject(aLazySusanturntableisagreathelpwhensprayingsmallobjectsinabooth)orcirculatearoundlargerobjects.Sprayinalevel,side-to-sidesweepingmotion,releasingthetriggeraftereachpass.

5Turntheobjectoverandsetthefeetonsmallblockstogetthemoffthesprayingsurface(takecarenottodisturbthefinishedareasoftheobject).Tosprayaflatsurfacesuchasastoolseatortabletop,beginbysprayingtheedgeallthewayaround.TIP:Applyonlylightcoats.Themostfrequentmistakemadebybeginnersistoapplyaheavycoatthatsagsorruns.

6Movethegunbackandforthacrosstheflatsurfacetofinishsprayingthefirstcoat.Visuallyinspecttomakesureyouhaven’tmissedspots.Thisiswhereagoodsidelight(liketheoneseeninstep1)reallycomesinhandy.Letthefinishdry,andrecoatasdesired.Seeyourmanualforsuggestionsaboutleavingthefinishinthesprayerbetweencoats—youmaybeabletosaveyourselfsometimeandeffort.

7Whenyou’redonespraying,returnleftoverfinishtoitscontainerandfillthecupwithwarmwater.Runwaterthroughthegunforaminuteorsotorinsethetubes,valves,needleandnozzle,sprayingnewsprintorcardboard.

8Disassemblethegunandwashtheinternalandexternalpartswithsolvent(water,inthephotoabove).Letthecupdrybeforereattachingittothegunforstorage.

ApplyingPasteWax

Waxisaneasilyrenewabletopcoatthatprotectsandbeautifieswood.Itisoftenappliedoveroilfinishesandothertopcoatstoabsorbsmallscratchesandeverydaywearandtear.Then,simplybyremovingtheoldwaxandapplyingafreshcoat,youcancreateanew-lookingtopcoatwithoutrefinishing.Pastewaxisthebestwaxproductforwoodbecauseitcanbebuffedtoahardfinish.Butothertypesofwax,likeliquidwax,canbeusedforspecificpurposes.Applyseveralcoatsofpastewaxforbestresults.Thesmoothnessofawaxfinishisadirectresultofthethicknessofthewax,andthehardnessandsheenarerelatedtothevigorwithwhichitisbuffed.Forthehardestpossiblefinish,chooseproductswithahighratioofwaxtosolvent(seelabel).

Useliquidwaxondetailedareas,wherepastewaxisdifficulttoapply.Applythewaxwithastiffbrush,thenbuffwithasoftcloth.

Apolisher(orapowerdrillfittedwithapolishingbonnet)letsyoubuffyourwaxfinishtoahighglosswithoutincurringanyrepetitivemotioninjuriesfromhandbuffing.

HowtoApplyPasteWax

1Loadacheeseclothorwipingragwithaballofwaxandsqueezelightly.Theheatfromyourhandwillhelpliquifythewaxtomakeiteasiertoapplyasitseepsoutthroughthecloth.

2Rubthewaxontothewoodthroughthecloth,usingapolishingmotion.Don’tbetooskimpyhere—refilltheclothasoftenasisneeded.Don’tletanyoftheappliedwaxrestonthewoodformorethanfiveminutes.

3Allowthewaxtodryuntilitbecomesfilmyinspots.

4Buffoutthewaxwithasoft,absorbentclothusingalight,circularmotion.Bufftheentiresurfaceuntilthefilminessdisappearsandthewaxisclear.

5Continuebuffingthewaxuntilthesurfaceishardandshiny.Themoreyoubuff,theshinierthesurfacewillget.Youmayalsouseapolishingbonnetonapowerpolisherordrill.Ifthesurfaceisnotassmoothasyou’dlike,applyanothercoatofpastewax.

Hardware&Accessories

Brightnewhardwareandaccessoriescangiverefinishedfurnitureabeautifulfinishingtouch.

Restoringorreplacingaccessories,likehardware,glass,orupholstery,isusuallythelaststepintherefinishingprocess.Givethesefinishingtouchesthesamecarefulattentionyougavetorefinishingthewood.Beforeyoureinstallhardwareornonwoodaccessories,inspecttheircondition.Tarnishedmetalorwornaccessoriescandetractfromtheproject.Wheneverpossible,usetheoriginalhardwareinsteadofreplacingit,sinceitwillmatchthestyleofthepieceandfitintheoriginalposition.Tofindreplacementparts,contactsuppliersofreproductionhardwareandaccessories.NOTE:Contactaprofessionalbeforerepairingorreplacingelectricalparts.

SourcesforReplacementItems

Visitsalvageyardsandantiqueshopstosearchforhardwareandaccessories.Ifyoucanfindagoodmatch,usingtheauthenticpartsisusuallypreferabletousingreproductionparts.

Checkcatalogsforreproductionpartsifyouareunabletofindauthentichardwareandaccessories.Mostwoodworker’sstorescanprovideinformationonobtainingcatalogsofreproductionparts.

Ordercustom-madeaccessoriesforunusualandhard-to-findreplacementitems,likebeveledglasspanels.Checkyourphonebookandlocalwoodworker’sstoresfornamesofcrafters.

TipsforCleaningHardware&Accessories

Usechemicalstripperstoremoveoldpaintfromhardware.Soakhardwareinajarofstripper,thenscrubclean.Useadetailbrushoranoldtoothbrushtogetintocrevices.Rinsehardwareinmineralspirits,thendryimmediately.Polishwithmetalpolishandasoftcloth.

Useawirewheelattachmentonabenchgrinderorportabledrilltoremoveoldpaintorrust.Unlikechemicalstripping,grindingofftheoldfinishremovesrustanddefects,aswellasoldfinishmaterials.Donotgrindbrassorplatedmetal.

Removepaintandchemicalsfromglassonrefinisheditems,usingarazorbladescraper.Afterscraping,washtheglasswitha1:1mixtureofhotwaterandammoniatoremoveanyresidue.

Testthecolorfastnessofupholsterybeforeattemptingtowashit.Gentlyrubadamp,whiteclothonthefabricandlookforcoloronthecloth.Colorontheclothindicatesthefabricisnotcolorfast,andshouldbedry-cleaned.Ifitiscolorfast,handwashwithamildlaundrydetergent.

TipsforRemoving&ReattachingHardware

Cleanpaintfromscrewslotsusingacraftknifeorrazorbladetocleartheslotsforascrewdriver.Alwaysuseascrewdriverwiththeproperbladesizetomatchthescrewslot.

Removestrippedscrewsbydrivingascrewdriverintotheslotwithasharprapfromahammer.OPTION:Toremovelargerstrippedscrews,drillapilothole,thenuseareverse-threadedscrewextractorbit(insetphoto).

Carefullyslicepaintbetweenhardwareplatesandthewood,usingacraftknife.Thisletsyouremovehardwarewithoutextensivepryingthatcandamagethewoodandthehardwareplate.

Reassemblehardware,likemostdoor-knob-and-latchassemblies,immediatelyafterremovalsoyoudonotloseanyofthesmallparts.

Filloldscrewholeswithwoodputtyorfiller(top).Drillnewpilotholesbeforereplacingthehardware.OPTION:Gluetaperedwoodplugsordowelsintoscrewholestoprovidewoodforthescrewthreadstogrip(bottom).

Coverhardwarewithmaskingtapepriortoremovaltopreventdamageduringremovalandreinstallation.Oneslipofthescrewdrivercancausemajordamagetounprotectedmetal.

TipsforRemoving&ReinstallingGlass

Protectagainstbrokenglassbytapingbothsidesofthepanewithmaskingtapearoundtheedgesandacrossthecenter.Thiswillnotpreventbreakage,butitwillholdshatteredglasssafelyintheglassframe.

Softenhardenedputtyaroundawindowframebyapplyingpaintthinnertotheputty.Scrapeoutthesoftenedputtywithadetailscraperbeforeyouremovetheglasspanel.

Useabradpusher,notatackhammer,fordrivingbradstosecureglasspanelsandretainerstripsinfurniture.Evenalightweighthammercanbreakglassorsplitretainerstrips.

TipsforReupholstering

Useseatboardsorotherappropriatefurniturepartsasapatternforthenewfabricwhenyouareunabletousetheoriginalfabricasapattern.Cutthenewfabricslightlyoversize,toallowfortrimminglater.

Alignthefabricbymarkingcenterpointsontheseatboard.Cutanotchinthemidpointofeachedgeofthefabric,thenalignthenotcheswiththemarksonthegroundwork.Securefabricedgesfirst,thentackdownthecorners.

Trimexcessfabricafterattachingthecornersandedges.

CaseStudies

Ifyoushowanoldrockingchairtoadozenprofessionalwoodrefinishers,youwillprobablygetatleastahalf-dozenverydifferentsuggestionsaboutthebestwaytotacklethejob.Somemethodsmaybebetterthanothers,butthereisseldomonlyoneworkablesolution.Likemostdo-it-yourselfprojects,refinishingwoodisessentiallyaseriesofchallengesandsolutions.Onthefollowingpageswehaveassembledagroupofsuccessfulcasestudiesinrefinishingandfinishing.Becausethereisnowaytoshowthetechniquesforeveryimaginableproject,wehavepresentedthesecasestudiestogiveyouaglimpseintothedecision-makingprocessthathelpsdeterminethesuccessorfailureofeachproject.Tousethissection,flipthroughthepagesandnotethespecialfeaturesofeachproject:thetypeofwood,theoldfinish,andanyuniquechallengesitpresents.Lookforsimilaritiesbetweenthecasestudiesshownhereandanyprojectsyouareconsidering.Atthesametime,paycloseattentiontothereasonsbehindthedecisions:whydidweonlyuseaheatguntopartiallystripthesurfaces?Whatkindsofstainwereusedtomaketwodifferentwoodtypeslookthesame?Inshort,usethissectiontogainrefinishingandfinishing“experience”—butwithoutanyofthemessandfuss.

THISSECTIONSHOWS:

•RockingChair•SewingMachineCabinet•DiningChair•ReproductionMissionFinish•ChestofDrawers•Frame-and-panelCabinet•CedarChest•AntiqueMantelClock•Tip-TopTable•MusicCabinet•AntiqueRadioConsole•Double-hungWindow•Woodwork&Door•WoodFloor•SchoolDesks

CaseStudies

RockingChair

Woodtype:WhiteoakOldfinish:MultiplelayersofpaintandvarnishChallenge:Tostriptheold,thickfinishfromthespindles,arms,andrungsSolution:Applychemicalstripper,thenscrubwithanabrasivepadtoremovetopcoats;removestainfromwoodusingsandingcordandstripsofsandingbelt

OnceastapleofAmericanhouseholdfurnishings,pressbackrockingchairscanstillbefoundinjustaboutanyatticorantiqueshop.Withtheirtrademarkspindlesandornatebackrestdesigns,theserockerspresentanamazingamountofdetailedsurfaceareatochallengetherefinisher.Butwithsomecreativesandingandscrapingtools,removingtheoldfinishisaverymanageabletask.Bystrengtheningajointortwoandapplyinganewfinish,wewereabletosaveourchairfromanearlyretirement.

1Removetheoldfinish(pages36to45).Wechemicallystrippedandscrapedthepaintandvarnishintheflatareas,usingabroadscraper.Thenwechemicallystrippedthespindles,arms,legs,andrungs,usinganabrasivepadtoscrubofftheoldfinish.

2Cleanupthedetails.Weusedanartists’modelingtooltoscrapethefinishandstripperresiduefromthereliefdesigninthebackrest.Becausestrippersoftenswood,beverycarefulwhenusingsharpscrapers,especiallyindelicateareas.

3Makebasicrepairs(pages46to53).Theprimarystructuraljointsinourchairweresound,butafewinteriorspindleshadloosened.Weinjectedjointswellerintothejointsatthetopandbottomofeachloosespindle(page48).

4Prepareforthefinish(pages54to59).Wegavethechairanintermediatesandingtoremoveafewnicksandscratches,thenfilledafewlargergougesandscratcheswithuntintedwoodputty.Tofinish-sandthechair,weusedstripsfromasandingbeltonthespindlesandsandingcordonthegrooves.Itwasneithernecessarynordesirabletocompletelyremovealltheoldcolor.Leavingalittlebitofcolorinolderprojectscreatesamorenatural,antiquefinish.

5Colorthewood(pages60to65).Weusedabrushtoapplyliquidlight-oakstaintothebackrestandseat,butweusedaragonthespindlesandtheotherroundparts.Thestainevenedoutthecolorofthechairandaddedrichnesstothewood.

6Applythetopcoat(pages78to81).Roundordetailedpartsarehardtofinishwithapaintbrush,soweappliedtungoilwithawipingrag.Webuffedthefinishwithafineabrasivepadafterthethirdcoatofoiltohardenthesurface.

CaseStudies

SewingMachineCabinet

Woodtypes:Walnutandwalnutveneer

Oldfinish:Multiplelayersofpaintandvarnish

Challenge:Toremovetheoldfinishwithoutdamagingtheveneer

Solution:Heat-stripthepaintfromtheflatwoodsurface;chemicallystriptheveneerandtheintricatepartsofthecabinet

Amarvelofmodernengineeringbackinthe1940s,thiselectricsewingmachinehadbecomeobsolete.Severalpoorpaintjobshadtransformedthecabinetintoanuglyducklingthatwascompletelyforgettable.Butoncloseexamination,thehardwoodcabinetwasstillingoodconditionandseemedtobeworthrefinishing.Now,refinishedtoshowcaseitslustrouswalnutandwalnutveneer,thesewingmachinecabinethasreclaimeditsstatusasapieceoffinefurniture.

1Removethehardware(pages94to96).Thedoorpullsandthebrasssewingmachinehingesconnectingthetable-topextensiontothecabinetwerecoveredwithpaintbutingoodoperatingcondition.Wecarefullyremovedthehardware,includingthesewingmachine,forcleaningandtocreatebetteraccesstothewoodforrefinishing.

2Removetheoldfinish(pages36to45).Weusedaheatgunandscrapertostripthemultiplelayersofpaintfromtheflat,solidhardwoodsurfaces.Oncethesesurfaceswereheat-strippedwewerebetterabletoevaluatetheconditionofthewood,andwedecidednottoriskheatstrippingtheveneer.Strippingthelargersurfacesfirstcangiveyoualotofhelpfulinformationearlyintheproject.

3Cleanupthedetails.Wechemicallystrippedthedelicatecarvedlegsandveneereddoors.Specialtyscrapers(page29)maderemovingthesludgesimple.Finally,wewipedtheentirecabinetcleanwithanabrasivepadanddenaturedalcohol.

4Prepareforthefinish(pages54to59).Theonlysurfacepreparationrequiredwasalightsandingtohelpthenewstainabsorbevenly.Wewerecarefultoavoidoversandingtheveneeronthedoors,whichhadlovelybookmatchpatterns.

5Colorandtop-coatthewood(pages60to65and78to93).Weappliedacoatofmedium-tonewalnutstaintoenhancethewoodgrainandevenoutthecolor.Thenweappliedathree-layertopcoatofcleartungoilforahard,antique-lookingfinish.

6Cleanthehardware(pages94to96).Wecleanedthecasingofthesewingmachinewithapenetratinglubricant,andwesoakedthehardwareinchemicalstripper,thenscrubbeditwithabrush.Buffingwithbrasspolishputanicegleamonallthemetal.

7Reattachthehardware.Togivethescrewsmoreholdingpower,wefilledtheoldscrewholeswithwoodputtyanddrillednewpilotholes.Weconsideredleavingthesewingmachineouttoincreasethestoragecapacityofthecabinet,butbecausethemachinemakesaninterestingconversationpiece,wereinstalleditinthecabinet.

CaseStudies

DiningChair

Woodtype:Whiteoak

Oldfinish:Darkstain,varnish

Challenge:Fixthesplintered,chippededgesofthechairlegs

Solution:Usearouterandroundoverbittotrimawaythedamagededgesofthelegs

Diningchairstakearealbeatingjustfromdailyuse.Theoakdiningchairshownherewasnoexception.Whenwefoundit,itwaschipped,splintered,anddirty.Becauseitwasnolongerpartofadining-roomset,wehadnorealrestrictionsonchoosingarefinishingstrategyforthechair.Iftherearematchingtableandchairs,youmustusuallyrefinishtheentireset,becausematchingtheotherpiecescanbequitedifficult.Ifonlyoneortwoofthechairsinasetneedrefinishing,tryusingquickfixes(seepages136to139)totakecareoftheproblems.

1Removetheoldfinish(pages36to45).Afterremovingtheseat,weusedchemicalstripperandscraperstotakeofftheoldvarnish(mineralspiritswilldissolvepurevarnish,butstripperisfasterandmorethorough).Wewipedthechairwithmineralspiritstocleanoffanytracesofstripperorvarnish.

2Makebasicrepairs(pages46to51).Likemanyolderchairs,ourshadbecomealittlewobbly.Wetightenedthescrewsatthecornerblocks,butthewobblepersisted.Sowedrilledaholethroughthejointthatcausedthewobble,theninjectedepoxyglueintothehole.Thewobbledisappeared.

3Roundoverthelegs.Insteadofrepairingthemanygougesandsplintersonthelegs,weroundedtheoutsidecornersofthelegswitharouterand”,pilotedroundoverbit.Aplaneorspoke-shavealsocanbeused,butbeverycarefulnottoremovetoomuchwood.

4Prepareforthefinish(pages54to59).Wesandedthechairtogetridofafewscratchesandgouges,thenfilledtheremainingflawswithuntintedwoodputty.Wefinish-sandedtheentirechairtoremovesomecolorandcreateasmoothsurfaceforstaining.

5Colorandtop-coatthewood(pages60to65and78to93).Weusedmedium-darkwalnutstaintoevenoutthecolorofthewoodandtogiveusa“Mission”typefinishtomatchthestyleofthechair.Tomoreeasilytop-coattheslatsandcrevices,weusedthreecoatsofwipe-ontungoil.

6Reupholstertheseat(page97).Weremovedtheoldupholstery,thenusedtheseatasapatterntocutfoamrubberandpolyesterbattingtofitovertheseatboard.Wechosenewupholsterytocomplementthefinish,andstapleditontotheseatframeoverthebattingandfoam.

7Reattachtheseat.Tosecurethereupholsteredseat,wedrove1½”screwsthroughthecornerbracesofthechairframeandintotheseatboard.

CaseStudies

ReproductionMissionFinish

Woodtype:Oak

Oldfinish:None

Challenge:ReplicateclassicMission-stylefinish

Solution:Stainwithanilinedyeandtop-coatwithmultiplethincoatsoforangeandblondeshellac

ClassicMissionfurniturewasfinishedbyaprocesscalledfuming,wheretheoakisexposedtoammoniafumesthatcausethewoodtodarkenandtakeonamoreeventone(regularpigmentstainstendtoleaveoaklookingfairlyblotchy,astheporesandraysofthewoodacceptthestainverydifferently).Fumingisstilldone,butitisahighlytoxicprocess.ThefinishappliedherereplicatesthecharacteristicwarmglowassociatedwithMissionfurniture,butusesanilinewooddye(seepage61)suspendedindenaturedalcoholtocolorthewood(dyepenetratestheoakporesmoredeeplyandevenlythanpigment).Oaktendstolookbetterwithathintopcoatoffinish,soweappliedafinishoforangeshellacflakesandthenblondeshellacdissolvedinalcohol,whichisveryeasytothinandapply.

1Sandthefurnitureupto150gritandwipedustawaywithatackcloth.Seepages54to59.

1Sandthefurnitureupto150gritandwipedustawaywithatackcloth.Seepages54to59.

2Mixfinishingproducts.Weusedanilinedyesuspendedindenaturedalcohol(left)forthecoloringagent,andorangeandblondeshellacflakesdissolvedinalcoholforatopcoat(right).

3Wipethewoodsurfaceswithatackcloth(seepage80).Brushonthedyestain,beginningwiththetablelegsandworkingupward.Stainthetabletoplast.Ifthewoodistoodarkwhenthestaindries,wipedownwithalcohol.Ifitistoolight,reapply.

4Ifthewoodistoodark(notethatthetopcoatwilldarkenthecolor),wipethesurfaceswithacleanragandalcohol.Ifthewoodistoolight,reapplythedye(unlikepigmentstain,dyestainwilldarkenwithrepeatedapplications).

5Sandlightlywith400-gritpaperandthenmixandapplythreeorfourthincoatsoforangeshellacdissolvedinalcohol.Useahigh-qualityChinabristlebrush,beginningatthetopandworkingyourwaydownward.Applythreeorfourthincoatsofblondeshellac(multiplecolorsenhancethefinishdepth).

6Buffthefinalcoatofshellactoahighglosswithafineabrasivepad.

CaseStudies

ChestofDrawers

Woodtype:PineOldfinish:Shellac

Challenge:Tightendrawerjoints

Solution:Disassembleandreglueloosejoints

Pineisaverytraditionalwoodforhouseholdfurnishings,largelyforitsavailabilityandrusticappearance.Itisasoft,workablewood,whichaddstoitspopularity,butmakesitsusceptibletodamage.Thischestofdrawersshowswhatcanhappentopoorlyprotectedpine.Butbecausepineissimpletorepair,wewereabletorestoreourchestofdrawerseasily.

1Removetheoldfinish(pages36to45).Wepulledoutthedrawersandremovedthedrawerhardwarefirst(page96),thenwescrubbedthechestcarcassandthedrawerfrontswithamediumabrasivepaddippedindenaturedalcohol—themildestsolventthatiseffectiveonshellac.

2Makebasicrepairs(pages46to53).Forlong-lastingrepairs,wedisassembledtheloosedovetailjointsintwoofthedrawers,thencleanedouttheoldgluewithafile.Wegluedandreassembledthejoints,thenclampedthedrawerswithpipeclamps.

3Prepareforthefinish(pages54to59).Wesandedthecarcassandthedrawerfrontswithafinishingsandertoeliminatemanyofthenicksandscratches.Thenwefilledthelargerscratchesandgougeswithwoodputty,andfinish-sandedthecarcassandthedrawerfronts.

4Colorthewood(pages60to65).Weappliedsandingsealertotheentirechestofdrawerstosealthesoft,absorbentwood.Thenwestainedthewoodwithalightcherryliquidstaintoaddinteresttothepineandevenoutthecolor.Weappliedthestaininthincoatsuntilwehadanevenfinishcolor.

5Applyatopcoat(pages78to93).Weappliedsemi-glosspolyurethanetothechestofdrawersforadurabletopcoat.Webrushedonthreecoats,sandingwithafineabrasivepadbetweencoats.

6Installnewhardware(pages94to96).WepurchasednewColonial-styledrawerpullsthatareverysimilartotheoriginalhardware,althoughslightlylarger.Often,metalhardwareaffectsthecolorofthewoodbelow,soitisusuallybesttopurchasereplacementhardwarethatisslightlylargerthantheoriginalhardware.Wealsocoatedthedrawerglideswithbeeswaxforsmootheroperation.

CaseStudies

Frame-and-panelCabinet

Woodtype:Solidoakcabinetwithoakveneertop

Oldfinish:Shellac

Challenge:Removetheoldtopcoatwithoutfurtherdamagingtheveneeronthecabinettop

Solution:Striptheveneertopwithalcoholandtherestofthecabinetwithchemicalstripper

Thisframe-and-panelcabinetoncehousedanelectricalappliance(probablyasewingmachine)thathaslongsincevanished.Butthecabinetitselfremainedingoodcondition—afineexampleof1920sArts-and-Craftsstyling.Withafewrepairsandanew,lighterfinish,itwasreadyforasecondlifeasauniquestoragecabinet.

1Makerepairstothecabinet.Anappliquéononedoorwasmissingasection.Makinganewsectionwasajobforawoodcarver,soweremovedthedoors,thenchiseledoffthemissingsection’scounterpartontheotherdoor,creatingasymmetricallook.Wedidthisrepairbeforestripping,sothewoodbeneaththeremovedappliquésectionwouldblendinbetter.

2Removetheoldfinish(pages36to45).Weuseddenaturedalcoholandanabrasivepadtostriptheoldshellacfromthecabinettop,whichhadsomelooseveneerononeedge.Alcoholevaporatesquickly,soitislesslikelythanmostothersolventstoseepunderthelooseveneeranddissolvetheglue.

3Stripthedoorsandthebodyofthecabinet.Weswitchedtoasemi-pastechemicalstripperforthedoorsandtherestofthecabinet.Semi-pastestripperclingstounevensurfaces,liketheappliquÉsandtheegg-and-dartbeadingonthesideandbackpanels,withoutdryingoutorrunningoff.Weusedavarietyofbrushesandspecialtyscrapers(page29)tocleanthestrippersludgefromtheintricateareas.

4Repairtheveneer(pages52to53).Althoughtheveneeronourcabinettophadloosenedinspots,therewasnosignificantdamage.Torepairit,wecleanedoutbeneaththeveneerintheloosenedareasalongtheedges,theninjectedglueunderthesections.Werolledtheveneerwithawallpaperroller,thencoveredtherepairwithwaxpaperandclampeditdowntodry.

5Applyatopcoat(pages78to93).Strippingandlightsandingbroughtoutalight,evencolortonetothecabinet,sowedecidednottostainthewood.Wesimplyrubbedonthreelayersofwipe-ongelvarnish(appliedlikegelstain,page65)foraclear,antique-lookingtopcoat.

6Hangthedoors.Theframe-and-panelcabinetpresentedmanystoragepossibilities:asmallentertainmentcenter,amagazinerack,oragarageforsmallappliances,forexample.Itwouldtakeonlyafewshelvesordrawerstoaccommodateanyoftheseuses.Weleftthecabinetopensothenewownercouldcustomizethestorageareaforhisorherneeds.

CaseStudies

CedarChest

Woodtype:Cedar

Oldfinish:Shellacandwax

Challenge:Renewtheworn,scratched-upappearance

Solution:Sanddowntobarewoodandapplyanewtopcoat

Thiscedarchestisagoodexampleofthetypeofprojectthatcausesadilemmaforrefinishers:howtoreconditionarough,wornprojectwithoutsacrificingitsantiquecharm.Thechestwassowornoutthatfairlyradicalmeasureswouldberequiredtogetitbackinshape.Afterweremovedtheoldtopcoat,themanyscratchesandgougesinthechesttopmadeitclearthattheoldfinishhadtogo.Sowesandeditdown,andoncetheprojectwascomplete,weknewwehadmadetherightdecision—thegleamingnewfinishhelpedthenaturalbeautyofthecedarchestshinethrough.

1Removetheoldfinish(pages36to45).Theold,gummyshellac-and-waxfinishstrippedoffeasilywithdenaturedalcoholandanabrasivepad,revealingthetrueconditionofthewood.

2Sanddowntobarewood.Weusedabeltsanderwith120-gritsandpaperonthechesttoptoremovemostofthescratchesandgouges.Weusedafinishingsanderonthesides,front,andback.

3Prepareforthefinish(pages54to59).Weusedwoodputtytofillalargecrackinthetopofthechest,aswellasafewsmallscratchesandnicksthatsurvivedthefirstroundofsanding.Wetintedthestainablewoodputtytomatchthecolorofthesurroundingwood.

4Applydecorativecoloring(pages60to65).Traditionally,cedarchestsareleftunstained,soweusedstainonlytorestorethedecorativebandingonthetopandfrontofthechest.Tokeepthestainfrombleedingoutsidethebandingareas,wecutaroundtheoutlineswithacraftknife,sealedthechestwithsandingsealer,andmaskedtheadjacentareaswithtape.Weusedredmahoganystaintore-createthebanding.

5Applythetopcoat(pages78to93).Weusedthreecoatsofpastewaxforahand-rubbed,antiquefinish.Weusedpastewaxbecauseitcanberenewedeasilyifthechestbecomesscratchedornicked.

6Attachthehardware(pages94to96).Therollermechanismsonourchestweretoobadlyrustedtosalvage,sowepurchasednewrollersfromafurnituresupplystore.Insidethechest,weinstallednewchestlidsupports.Thehingesandthelocksimplyneededalittlebrasspolish.

CaseStudies

AntiqueMantelClock

Woodtype:Pinecabinetwithmahoganyveneer

Oldfinish:Orangeshellac

Challenge:Cleanupandrestorethedry,delicatewoodandveneer

Solution:Stripofftheold,gummyshellacwithdenaturedalcoholandanabrasivepad

Woodenmantelclocks,liketheantique“Ogee”clockshownhere(AnsoniaBrass&CopperCo.,circa1860),werethefirstmass-produced,affordableclocks.Itisalwaysagoodideatogettheopinionofanantiquesappraiserbeforeyouundertakeanyrefinishingprojectonolderitems.Often,evenafirst-raterefinishingjobwilldevalueagenuineantique.Becauseourclocknolongerhadtheoriginalclockwork,the“antiquevalue”waslessofafactorforusthanthedesiretorestoretheoriginalbeautyoftheclock.

1Removetheclockwork.Toprotecttheclockmechanism,weunhookedthependulum,thenremovedthehandsandclockface,aswellastheclockwork,whichwasmountedtothebackpanel.Wealsoremovedthedoor.

2Removetheoldfinish(pages36to45).Thewoodwasoldandbrittle,soweusedthegentlestsolvent—alcohol—thatwoulddissolvetheoldshellac.Wecarefullywipedupthedissolvedfinishwithanabrasivepad.

3Prepareforthefinish(pages54to59).Nosignificantrepairstotheclockcabinetwereneeded,butwedidfillinasmallspotofmissingveneerwithstainablewoodputty.Welightlyhand-sandedallthewoodsurfaces.

4Applyanewtopcoat(pages78to93).Themahoganyveneeronourclockwashighlyfiguredandrelativelydarktostartwith,sowedidnotcolorthewood.Weappliedseveralcoatsofcleartungoiltoallthewoodsurfaces.Withgenuineantiques,avoidusingglossytopcoatfinishesthatcanmakewoodlooknewer.Themainfunctionofthetopcoatistosealthewoodandformaprotectivelayer.

5Striptheglasspanel(pages94to97).Theoriginalfloralimageonthelowerglasspanelofthedoorhadbeenravagedbeyondrestorationbydecadesofcontactwiththependulum.Usingwaterandafineabrasivepad,wewereabletowipeawaytheimageeasily,withoutremovingtheglassfromthedoor(ariskyoperationwitholdwood).

6Replacetheartworkontheglass.Tokeeptheclocklookingasauthenticaspossible,weappliedagoldenwheat,rub-ondecaltoreplacethefloralpattern(imagesofAmericanawereverycommononmantelclocksofthisera).Maskingtheadjoiningwoodandback-paintingtheglasswithblackspraypainthighlightsandprotectsthenewdesign.

7Reassembletheclock.Aftercleaningandreattachingtheclockwork,wetackedthebackpaneltotheclockcabinet.Wecleanedupthehingesandhungthedoor,replacingtheold,rustybradswith#4×½”brasswoodscrews.Wealsoresecuredthepaperclockfacetoitsmountingplate,usingathincoatofrubbercement.

CaseStudies

Tip-TopTable

Woodtype:Mahogany

Oldfinish:None

Challenge:Tocreateasuperiorwoodfinish

Solution:A14-coat,finefinishcomposedofgrainfiller,stain,varnish,andpastewax

ThisTip-TopTableisareproductionofatraditionaldesigncommonintheSouthernUnitedStates.ManufacturedasakitbytheBartleyCollection,Ltd.,itfeaturesatabletopthattiltstoanearverticalpositionforeasystorage.Becauseitismadefromsolidmahogany,thetabledeservesafine,polishedfinishlikethe14-coatfinishweapplied.Althoughmostfurnituresoldunfinishedissandedatthefactory,afinalfinishsandingathomeisveryimportant.

1Sandthetabletop(pages54to59).Weusedasequenceofprogressivelyfinersandpaper(150-,180-,220-grit)tocreateasmoothsurfaceontherawwoodofourtable.

2Sandthepedestal.Wesandedthegroovesinthepedestalwith150-gritsandingcord,thenwehand-sandedtherestofthepedestalwith150-then220-gritsandpaper.Wewipedthetablewithatackclothaftersanding.

3Fillthegrain(pages58to59).Weappliedgrainfillertothetabletopandsandingsealertothepedestal,sandingoffexcessfillerwith320-gritsandpaperafterthefillerdried.Wesmoothedoutthesealerwith220-gritsandpaper.

4Colorthewood(pages60to65).Weappliedbrownmahoganygelstaintotheentiretable,includingtheundersideofthetabletop.Applyingthesamefinish,eveninunseenareasofaproject,helpspreventwarping.Weusedgelstainbecauseitclingswelltoverticalsurfacesandcreatesveryevencoloration.

5Buffthestain.Alightbuffingwithasoft,lint-freeclothremovesdustandensuresabetterbondwiththenextcoatoffinish.Weappliedthreecoatsofstainforthedeepcolorwewantedovermostofthetable.Becausethegrainfillerkeptthestainfrompenetratingintothetabletopasdeeplyasinthepedestal,wemadethecoloruniformbyaddinganothercoatofstaintothetabletoponly.

6Applythetopcoat(pages78to93).Forourtopcoat,weusedcleargelvarnishsimilartothegelstainusedforcoloring.Weappliedtwocoatsofvarnishtotheentiretable,usingthesameapplicationtechniquesaswiththestain.Toproduceadeep,durablefinish,weaddedthreemorecoatsofvarnishtothetabletop.

7Applywaxandbuff.Weappliedonewell-buffedcoatofpastewaxonthepedestal,andfourcoatsonthetabletop.Theresultwasafine,polishedfinishthatis14coatsthickonthetabletop,andquitebeautifultobehold.

CaseStudies

MusicCabinet

Woodtype:Maple,others

Oldfinish:Shellac,others

Challenge:Evenoutmismatchedcolorcausedbydifferingwoodandfinishtypes

Solution:Chemicallystriptheoldtopcoat,sand,andapplydarkerstain

Thisuniquecabinet,builttoholdsheetmusic,isasurvivorfromanerawhenentertainmentusuallymeantgatheringaroundthepianoforanintimatemusicalevening.Whenwefoundthecabinet,ithadbecomeamismatchedcombinationoforiginalandreplacementparts.Theonlythingallthewoodpieceshadincommonwastheneedtoberefinished.Refinishingbroughtadramatictransformation,andnowthisoff-keyhodge-podgeofpartsisinperfectharmony.

1Removetheoldfinish(pages36to45).Removingthedoorandbackpanelfirstgaveusaccesstotakeouttheshelves.Webrushedonchemicalstripper,thenscrapedandscrubbedoffthevarioustopcoatfinishesfromthecabinetandtheshelves.

2Prepareforthefinish(pages54to59).A½”-beltsanderworkednicelyforanintermediatesandingofcontouredandhard-to-reachspots.Weusedafinishingsanderontheflatsurfaces.NOTE:Whenusingapowersander,keepthesandpapermovingconstantlytoavoidgouging.

3Fillcracksinwoodsurfaces.Wefilledafewdeepcracksandfracturedgluelinesinthesidesandtopofthecabinet,usinguntintedwoodputty.Thenwesandedtheputtydowntothesurface,andstainedittomatchthecolorofthesurroundingwood.Wefinish-sandedtheentirecabinettoprepareitforthefinish.

4Applythenewfinish(pages60to65and78to93).Oncetheoldfinishwasremoved,itwasevenmoreobviousthatthecabinetwascomposedofseveraldifferentwoodspecies.Soweappliedredmahoganystain,darkeningthewoodjustenoughtoobscuremostoftheevidenceofmismatchedwood.Oncethecolorwaseven,weappliedthreecoatsofcleartungoilforlow-lusterprotection.

5Finishtheshelves.Thecabinetshelveswereindecentshape,butthewoodwasverydry,brittle,anddrab.Westainedtheshelveswithebony-coloredstaintocontrastthecabinet,thenaddedatungoiltopcoat,whichalsorefreshenedthedrywood.

6Makethefinishingtouches.Wecleanedandattachedthehardware(pages94to96),insertedtheshelves,hungthedoors,andattachedthebackpanel.Thenweappliedtwocoatsofpastewax(pages92to93)andbuffedthesurfacetogivethecabinetagentlesheenthatcanberenewedonaregularbasis.

CaseStudies

AntiqueRadioConsoleThereisnothinglikeanantiqueradiotoconjureupvividimagesoffamilyandbygonedays.Atonetime,this1937RCAbroughtawholenewbrandofentertainmenttoanappreciativefamily.Butwhentelevisionovershadowedtheradioasthemainformoffamilyentertainment,aperiodofneglectbeganfortheradio,leavingitlookingoldandbattered.Alocalantiqueradioexpertprovidedareplicagrilleclothandnewdecals,aswellassomeinterestingtriviaandgoodadviceabouttheradio.Healsoupdatedtheradiosetwithsafer,moreefficientparts.

Woodtype:Poplarwithwalnutveneer,basswoodaccenttrim

Oldfinish:Darkstain,clearshellac

Challenge:Revampthedeterioratedfinishwhilepreservingtheauthenticlook

Solution:Stripoffthetopcoat,touchupthecolor,replacetheworngrilleclothanddecalswithreproductions

1Removetheradioset.Althoughouroldradiostillworked,thesoundqualitywaspoorandthebrittlewiringwasafirehazard.Soweunpluggedtheradio,tookofftheknobsandthebackpanel,disconnectedtheradio,andbroughtittoaprofessionalforservicing.

2Maskthefragileparts.Theplasticselectorcoverandthetrademark“eye”didnotneedreplacing,sowemaskedthemwithmaskingtapetoprotectthemfromtherefinishingchemicals.

3Removetheoldtopcoat(pages36to45).Weusedamediumabrasivepadanddenaturedalcoholtodissolveandremovetheoldshellacwithoutaffectingthecolorofthewood.

4Colorthewood(pages60to65).Westartedbymaskingaroundthebasswoodaccenttrim,thencoloredthetrimpieceswithredmahoganystaintoreplicatetheiroriginalcolor.Wecoloredtherestofcabinetwithcherry-tintedpenetratingoil.

5Applyanewtopcoat(pages78to93).Twocoatsofpolyurethanegaveusahardfinishthatprotectstheveneer.Weusedwater-based,satinlusterpolyurethanetoproducealessglossy,antiquelook.

6Replacethegrillecovering.Westapledapieceofreproductiongrilleclothtothebackingboard,thenreinstalleditintheconsole.

7Applythefinishingtouches.Afterreinstallingtheradioset,weattachedtheknobsandappliedthenewdecalsaroundtheradiocontrols(transfer-typedecalsshouldbeappliedafterthelastfinishcoat).Wealsorevivedtheselectorguardandeyewithplasticcleaner.

CaseStudies

Double-hungWindowWindowsashesandcasingsneedrefinishingmorefrequentlythanjustaboutanyotherpartofahouse.Exposuretomoistureandsunlightandthefrictionofslidingsashestaketheirtollinahurry.Manyhomeownerssimplycoverthewindowwithcoataftercoatoffreshpaint.Theresultiswindowsthatstick—especiallyinwarmer,morehumidweather.Tokeepthisfromhappeningtoourwindow,wedisassembleditandstrippedtheoldpaintfromthecasingandthesashes.Ittooksometimeandeffort,butnowourwindowlooksgreatandoperatessmoothly.

Woodtype:Pine

Oldfinish:Multiplelayersofpaint

Challenge:Topaintthewindowsashesandcasingwithoutdamagingtheglassorimpedingthesmoothoperationofthewindow

Solution:Removethesashesandstripofftheoldpainttoavoidpaintbuildup

1Protecttheglass.Tapingovereachpanelwithmaskingtapeprotectstheglassfromfinishmaterialsandincreasesitsshockresistanceagainstbreakage(page97).

2Disassemblethewindow.Strippingandfinishingthewindowsashesinplaceisconvenient,butsomesashpartscannotbereachedwhilethewindowisstillintact.Weremovedthestopmoldingthatkeepsthesashesontrack,thenwedisconnectedthespiralsashspringsandremovedbothwindowsashes.Wealsoremovedthesashlockandthepull.

3Removetheoldfinish(pages36to45).Weheat-strippedthecasingandthestopmolding,andchemicallystrippedthesashes(donotuseheatgunsnearglassorplastic).Becauseweplannedtopaintthewindow,wewerenottooconcernedwithremovingeverylastbitofoldpaint.Moreimportantly,wewantedtoremoveenoughpainttopreventanyproblemscausedbypaintbuildup.

4Prepareforthefinish(pages54to59)andpaintthesashes(pages66to71).Wesandedthewoodtofeatheroutanyunevennessandcreateabetterbond.Acoatofsandingsealerhelpedensureevenabsorbencyforthepaint.Usingataperedsashbrush,wepaintedtheinteriorsidesofthesasheswithinteriorlatexpainttocomplementthecolorschemeintheroom,andwepaintedtheexteriorsideswithexteriorlatextomatchthehousetrim.

5Paintthecasing.Weuseda2”brushwithpolyesterbristlestopaintthecasingandthestopmolding.Apaintshieldpositionednexttothejambskeptthepaintofftheadjoiningwall.Weappliedtwocoatsofpainttoallpartsofthewindow.TIP:Wipebothsidesofthepaintshieldregularlywithawater-dampenedragwhenusinglatexpaint(dampentheragwithmineralspiritswhenusingoil-basedpaint).

6Hangthesashes.Wereattachedthesashlockandthepull,thensetthepaintedsashesbackintothewindowandattachedthestopmolding,paintingoverthesash-moldingscrewssotheywouldblendin.Finally,wereconnectedthesashspringsinthetracks.

CaseStudies

Woodwork&DoorFurniturecanberemovedandwoodfloorscanbecovered,buttheinteriorwoodworkinyourhousecannotbehidden.Theownerofthehouseshownherewantedtorestorehiswoodworkanddoorstotheirnaturalwoodcolor.Butlikemanyhomeowners,hefearedthatstrippingthepaintandrefinishingthewoodworkwouldbetoodifficultandverytime-consuming.However,byusingthebesttechniquesandmaterials,evenrefinishingwoodworkanddoorscanbedonewithrelativeeaseandeconomy.Itisnotuncommonforahometocontainwoodworkanddoorsmadeofdifferentwoodtypes,asisthecasewithourfeaturedhome.Thefinish-removalmethodweselectedwasthesameforboththewoodworkandthedoors—heat-striptoremovemostoftheoldpaint,thenchemicallystripandscrapeofftherest.Buttherealchallengelayinthefinishing.Aftersomeexperimenting,wefoundacombinationofstaincolorsthat,whenappliedtothedifferentwoodtypes,producedauniformcoloronallthewood.

Woodtype:Redoakwoodworkandfirdoor

Oldfinish:Varnishandpaint

Challenge:Creatematchingfinishesfromtwodifferentwoodtypes

Solution:Stripandscrapetheoldfinish;usedifferentstaincolorsonthedoorandthewoodworktocreatematchingfinishcolors

1Removethedoorandmaskofftheworkarea.Weattachedplastictoallthedoorjambsinourworkareatokeepfumesanddustoutoftherestofthehouse.Thehingesandotherdoorhardwarewereremoved,asweretheswitchplatesandreceptaclecoversclosetotheworkarea.SAFETYTIP:Masktheswitchesandreceptaclesimmediatelyaftertheplatesareremovedtoavoidtheriskofelectricshock.

2Removetheoldfinish(pages36to45).Weusedaheatgunandbroadscrapertoremovemostoftheoldpaintonthelarge,flatsurfaces.Wescrapedoffloose,flakypaintbeforeheatstripping(paintflakescanbeignitedbyaheatgun).Alwaysuseextracareneartheedgesofthewoodworktopreventdamagetothewoodandadjoiningwalls.

3Chemicallystriptheintricateareas.Becauseaheatguncanscorchmoredelicatesurfaces,webrushedaheavylayerofsemi-pastechemicalstripperontothewoodworkcontoursandedges.TIP:Ifyourchemicalstripperisnotclingingwelltoverticalsurfaces,trymixingsomecornstarchintothestrippertothickenit.

4Removethestrippersludge.Weusedaspecialtyscraper(page29)toscrapethecontoursinthedoorheaderandothertrimareas.Afterremovingmostofthepaintfromtheseareas,weappliedathinlayerofstrippertoallthewoodwork,thenscrubbedwithanabrasivepadtoremovetheremainingfinishmaterials.

5Stripthedoor.Weusedthesametechniquesaswiththewoodwork.Tomakethejobeasier,webuilttwostandards(inset)toholdthedoors.Attachthetopandbottomofthedoortothearmsofthestandards,usinga3½”screwnearthestandard,andanotherscrewneartheendofthearm.Byremovingthescrewattheendofeacharm,thescrewsnearthestandardsbecomepivotpointssothedoorcanbeflipped,allowingyoutofinishtheoppositesideofthedooroncethefinishedsideisdrytothetouch.

6Cleanthewoodworkanddoor.Wescrubbedallthewoodsurfaceswithanabrasivepaddippedinmineralspirits.Thisremovedthewaxresidueleftbythechemicalstripper,aswellasafewtracesoftheoldvarnish.

7Prepareforthefinish(pages54to59).Weusedstainablewoodputtytofilltheholesandgougesinthedoorandthewoodwork.Then,aftersanding,wetintedtheputtywithstainsoitmatchedthecolorofthesurroundingwood.

8Sandthewoodworkanddoor.Weusedahand-sanderwith150-gritsandpapertoevenoutthewoodsurfaces,thenfinish-sandedwith220-gritsandpaper,usingavarietyofgripsandsandingblocks(page29)topreparethesurface.

9Colorthewood(pages60to65).Itwasnoteasytofindacombinationofstaincolorsthatgaveusuniformresultsonthedifferentwoodtypes.Butaftersomeexperimentationonpiecesofscrapwood(andalittleblendingofstaincolors),wesettledonalightoakstainforthefirdoor,whichabsorbsstainmoredeeplythanthewoodwork.Fortheoakwoodwork,weusedthesameoakstain,butmixedinalittlewalnuttodarkenthecolor.

10Applyatopcoat(pages78to81).Weusedtungoilbecauseitissoeasytoapplytodetailsandisaveryeffectiveproductforverticalsurfaces.Threecoatsoftungoilgaveusahard,durablefinishthatwasnotoverlyglossy.

11Makethefinishingtouches.Afterchemicallystrippingandcleaningthehardware,wedrillednewpilotholes,thenreattachedthehardware.Wemountedthehingesonthedoorjamb,thenhungthedoor,startingwiththetophingepin.Finally,weremountedalltheswitchplatesandreceptacleplates.

CaseStudies

WoodFloorRefinishingwoodfloorsisoneofthemostpopulardo-it-yourselfprojectstoday,andforgoodreason.Fewprojectsoffersuchadramaticrewardforarelativelysmallinvestmentoftimeandmoney.Themanyscratchesandtheunevenwearonthefloorshownhereleftusnooptionbuttoresurface.Manyfloors,however,donotneedsanding.Sometimesstrippingtheoldtopcoatandapplyingafreshfinishisallittakes.

Woodtype:Redoak

Oldfinish:Mediumoakstainwithvarnishandfloorwax

Challenge:Completelyremoveworn,unevenfinish

Solution:Sanddowntobarewoodwithadrumsanderandedger

1Preparethefloorandroom.Wecountersunkafewnailsandscrewssotheywereabout¼”belowthefloorsurface,thenweremovedsomestaplessotheywouldnottearoursandpaper.Wealsomaskedoffdoorwaysandductworktokeepthesandanddustinourworkarea.Finally,wevacuumedthefloortoremovedust.

2Preparetheequipment.Werentedadrumsanderandinstalled80-gritsandpaper.(Makesureyougettherentalstoreattendanttoshowyouhowtousethemachinesandreplacesandingbelts.)Becausewehadneverusedthissander,wetesteditoutonasheetofplywooduntilwewerecomfortableusingthemachine.

3Startsandingthefloor.Wepositionedourdrumsanderinthecenteroftheroom,about6”outfromthewall.Withthesandingdruminraisedposition,weturnedonthemachineandbeganmovingitforward,loweringthedrumasthesandermoved.Wesandedastraightpath,followingthedirectionofthefloorboardsandkeepingthemachinemovingconstantly.

4Completethefirstpass.Wesandedtowithinabout1ft.oftheendwallinourfirstsandingpass,raisingthedrumaswenearedthecorner.NOTE:Ifthesandpaperclogsquicklyorleavesquiteabitoffinishintact,switchtoacoarsergrit—butasageneralrule,usethefinestgritthatiseffectiveforthejob.

5Makeasecondsandingpass.Werepositionedthesanderatourstartingpointsothenextpathoverlappedthefirstbyone-halfitswidth.Wesandedasecondpassusingthesamemethod.Replacingthesandpaperasneeded,wesandedoverlappingpathsallthewaytotheothersidewall,thenturnedaroundandsandedtheotherhalfoftheroom.

6Switchtofinersandpaper.Aftersandingwith80-gritpaper,weswitchedto120-gritforthesecondsandingstage.NOTE:Mostoftheoldfinishshouldbegone,asinthephotoabove,beforeyouswitchsandpapergrits.Wemadeadditionalpasseswith150-gritand180-gritsandpaper.

7Sandtheborders.Werentedanedgertosandoffthefinishfromtheborderareasofthefloor.TIP:Whenyouturnontheedger,makesurethesandpaperisnotrestingonthefloor,andmaintainlight,evenpressureonthemachineasyouwork.Usethesamesequenceofsandpapergritsyouusedwiththedrumsander.

8Scrapeorsandthehard-to-reachareas.Weusedasharpscrapertoresurfaceourfloorinawkwardareasthatcouldnotbereachedwithapowersander.Weusedafinishingsanderwith180-gritpapertofeatheroutanyremainingunevenareasandsandingridges.

9Applyatopcoat(pages78to93).Weusedwater-basedpolyurethaneonourfloorbecauseitsshortdryingtimemeanslesstimefordusttosettleintothefinish.Toapplythetopcoat,weusedapaintingpadwithapoleextension.Threethincoatsgaveusadurablefinish.Webuffedthedriedfinishwithafineabrasivepadtosmoothoutthesurface.

HowtoApplyPolyurethanetoFloors

1Sealsandedwoodwitha1:1mixtureofwater-basedpolyurethaneandwater,appliedwithapaintingpadandpoleextension.Lettheseal-coatdry,thenuseamediumabrasivepadtolightlybuffthesurfacestoremoveanyraisedwoodgraincausedbythewater.Vacuumthesurfacewithabristleattachment,orwipewithatackcloth.

2Applyaseal-coatofundilutedpolyurethane,brushingwiththegrain,tounsealedwood.Avoidoverbrushingthefinishbyapplyingitasevenlyaspossibleonthefirstpass.Lettheseal-coatdry.NOTE:Furniturethathasbeencoloredwithstainorpenetratingoildoesnotneedaseal-coat.

3Letthefinishdry,thenbuffthefloorwithamediumabrasivepad.Vacuumorwipethefloor.Applymorecoatsofpolyurethaneasneededtobuildthefinishtothedesiredthickness,buffingbetweencoats.Mostfloorsrequireatleastthreecoatsofwater-basedpolyurethaneforahard,durablefinish(seemanufacturer’srecommendations).

4OPTION:Whenthefinalcoatoffinishisdry,buffthesurfaceswithwaterandafineabrasivepadtoremovesurfaceimperfectionsanddiminishthegloss.

CaseStudies

SchoolDesksBeforeWorldWarII,countlessrowsofthesetinydeskslinedtheaislesofAmerica’sschoolrooms.Becausethedeskscontainbothwoodandmetalstructuralparts,completelydisassemblingthemwouldhavesimplifiedourjob,allowingustoworkonthepartsseparately.Butthejointswerestillverystrong,andwedidnotwanttoweakenthedesks.Sowedisassembledonlythosepartsthatneededrepairs.

Woodtype:Maple

Oldfinish:Polyurethanevarnish

Challenge:Workingwithmetalandwoodpartsinthesameproject

Solution:Disassembleforrepairwhereneeded;maskmetalandwoodpartswhilefinishing

1Disassemblethedesks.Weunscrewedthedeskfeetfromthewoodenrunnersandremovedoneofthemapleseatsbecauseithadacrackthatneededrepair.Wesetthemetalfastenersasideinamarkedcontainerforsafestorage.

2Removetheoldfinish(pages36to45).Originally,thesedesksprobablyweretop-coatedwithmanylayersofpastewax.Butnotlongago,arefinisherremovedthewaxandsmotheredthewoodsurfaceswithseveralthickcoatsofpolyurethane.Weusedamethylenechloride-basedchemicalstrippertocutthroughthepolyurethane.

3Makebasicrepairs(pages46to53).Wegluedthecrackintheseatwehadremoved,andreinforcedtherepairwithawoodenmendingplate(page50).Afterthegluedried,wesandedoutafewscratchesandfilledthelargeroneswithuntintedwoodputty.

4Maskthewood.Toprotectthewoodfrompaintoverspray,wemaskeditwithtapeandnewspaperbeforewestartedworkingonthemetalpartsthatwerestillattached.

5Refurbishthemetalparts.Weusedemeryclothtosmoothoutridgesandroughspots.Thenwewipedthemetalcleanandsprayeditwithprimer.Aftertheprimerdried,wepaintedthemetalwithrust-inhibitingenamelspraypaint.

6Finishthewood.Webrushedonathincoatofwater-basedpolyurethanetosealthewood,thenwepaintedstencilsontothedesktopswithacryliccraftpaint(pages70to71).Afterthestencilsdried,weaddedatwo-layertopcoatofwater-basedpolyurethane(page133).

7Reassemblethedesks.Ourschooldesksweremountedonwoodenrunnerssotheycouldbemovedeasilywithoutriskoftippingover.Werefinishedtherunnersandreattachedtherepairedseat.Thenwecleaneduptheoriginalscrewsandreattachedthedeskstotherunners.

Maintenance&QuickFixesRefinishingfurniture,afloor,orwoodworkisamajorinvestmentoftimeandmoney.Protectyourinvestmentwitharegularwoodmaintenanceprogram,andavoidrefinishingagainbymasteringafewquickfixesforminorfinishproblems.Abasicwoodmaintenanceprogramincludesregularcleaninganddusting,andapplyingfreshpastewaxorlemonoil.Repairscratches,scuffs,dents,andotherminorsurfaceflawsastheyoccur.

EVERYTHINGYOUNEED:Tools:paintbrushes,touch-upmarkers,puttyknives,craftknife,candle,iron.Materials:solvents,stain,topcoatmaterials,lemonoil,sandpaper,abrasivepads,finepumicepowder,shellacresinsticks,stainingcloths,woodglue.

Ruboutwhitewaterspotswithfinepumicepowderandmineralspirits.First,cleanthediscoloredareawithaclothdippedinmineralspirits.Next,sprinklefinepumicepowderontothewaterspots.Dipafeltpadorsoftclothinmineralspiritsasalubricant,thenbuffthepumicepowderuntilthewaterspotsaregone.Recoatwaxedsurfaceswithpastewax.

WoodMaintenance&RepairKits

Packagedrefinishingkits,soldatmostbuildingcentersandpaintstores,promisetorefurbishafinishwithnomessystripping.Theseproductsaresometimessuccessfulonthickertopcoatswithminorproblems,buttestthembeforeusingthemonyourfinefurniture.Mostkitscontainasolventfordissolvingfinishes,atopcoatproduct,andabrasivepads.

Awoodmaintenancekitshouldincludebasictools,likepaint-brushesandputtyknives,aswellasanyspecialtytoolsthatareusefulforyourfurniture.Keepyourtoolstogetherinatoolbox,alongwithchemicalsolventsandsamplesofthestainsandtopcoatsyouhaveusedonyourwood.

TipsforMakingQuickFixes

Reattachsplinters.Scrapeanydebrisfromthesplinteredarea,thencoatbothsurfaceswithwoodglue.Pressthesplinterbackintoplaceandsecurewithmaskingtapeuntilthegluedries.

Resecurelooseveneer.Covertheloosenedveneerwithadampcloth,thenpresswithahouseholdironsettoalowtemperature.Keeptheironmovinganddonotironformorethanafewseconds.Waitfortheveneergluetoliquefy,thenremovetheironandcloth.Beforethegluerehardens,rollwithaseamroller(page29).Setaheavybookontherepairasitcools.Ifineffective,regluetheveneer(pages52to53).

HowtoCleanFinishedSurfaces

1Rubmineralspiritsontothewoodsurfacestoremovegrimeandwaxbuildup.Wipeoffthemineralspiritsandanydissolvedwaxwithafineabrasivepad.Repeatuntilallthewaxisgone.

2Applyanewcoatofpastewax.Whenthewaxbecomesfilmy,buffwithaclean,lint-freecloth.Applyanothercoatofpastewaxafter24hours.Renewthepaste-waxtopcoatatleastonceayear.

OPTION:Freshendullordryoilfinishesusinglemonoil.Asanoilfinishages,essentialoilsarelostfromthewoodduetoevaporation,wear,andcleaning.Acoatoflemonoilrestorestheseoils.

HowtoBlendOutMinorFinishProblems

Blendoutminorfinishproblemsinpurevarnish(nosyntheticadditives),lacquer,orshellacfinishes(pages22to23)withamixtureofsolventandfreshtopcoatmaterial.First,cleandirtandwaxfromtheproblemarea,thendissolvethefinishusingtherightsolventmixtureforeachtopcoat:forpurevarnishfinishes(left)mixonepartcleartungoiltotwopartsmineralspirits;forlacquerfinishes(center)usea100%solutionoflacquerthinnertoliquefytheoldlacquer;forshellacfinishes(right)mixonepartshellactofourpartsdenaturedalcohol.Oncethesolventmixturehasliquefiedthefinish,gentlybrushorwipethefinishproblemuntilitissmoothandevenlyblendedwiththerestofthetopcoat.Forbestresults,applyacoatortwoofpastewaxovertheentiresurfaceoncetherepairedtopcoatisdry.NOTE:Polymerizedtopcoats,likepolyurethane,cannotbedissolvedandrepairedwiththistechnique.

HowtoRepairScuffs&ShallowScratches

1Washthescratchedorscuffedareawithacleanclothandmineralspirits.Ifthedamagedoesnotpenetratethroughthefinishandintothewood,skiptostep3.

2Selectatouch-upmarkerorawoodstainthatcloselymatchesthecolorofthefinish.Carefullycolorinthebottomofthescratch,usingthetouch-upmarkerorafineartist’sbrushdippedinwoodstain.Allowstaintodry.

3Lightlyblendtheareaaroundthescratchwiththesolventsolutionappropriateforthetypeoffinishbeingrepaired(seeabove).Afterthefinishdries,applypastewaxovertheentiresurface.

HowtoRepairDeepScratcheswithaShellacResinStick

1Cleantheareaaroundthescratchwithmineralspiritsandafineabrasivepad.Selectashellacresinstickthatcloselymatchesthefinishcolor(ifyoucannotfindanexactmatch,useaslightlylighterone).

2Warmthetipofaputtyknifeoveracandleflame.Usethehotknifetosliceoffasmallpieceofshellacresinfromthestick.Lettheresinmeltontheknifeblade.

3Spreadthemoltenresinonthedamagedarea,workingitintothescratchwiththeputtyknife.Lettheresinharden,thenreheattheknifeandscrapeoffexcessresinbypullingtheflatedgeofthewarmknifeacrosstheresinmounduntilitislevelwiththewoodsurface.

4Lightlysandtherepairedareawith600-gritwet/drysandpaperuntiltheresinislevelwiththesurfaceofthefinish.Extenddarkgrainlinesthroughtheresinpatchusingatouch-upmarker,thenuseafineabrasivepadtoapplypastewaxtotherepair.Buffwithacleanclothwhendry.

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Index

AAbrasivepads,29Accessoriescleaning,95tocompleteproject,13protecting,122removingandreinstalling,96replacing,94

Acryliccraftpaints,71Aerosolcansprays,86–87Agedfinishes,72–75Agedrubbedfinishes,76–77Alcohol.SeedenaturedalcoholAlligatoredfinishes,19,22,23Anilinestains,using,61,63Antiquefinishes,71Antiquemantelclockcasestudy,116–117Antiqueradioconsolecasestudy,122–123Antiquesframe-and-panelcabinet,112–113mantelclock,116–117musiccabinet,120–121radioconsole,122–123sewingmachinecabinet,104–105valueof,10

Artists'brushes,29ATMstrippers,42

BBasswood,26Beltsanders,28,39

Birch,26Bird's-eyemaple,27Bleachingwood,57Blisteredveneer,repairing,53Brokenfurniture,repairing,48–51Brownmahoganystain,26Brushesforapplyingfinishes,29cleaning,33forremovingfinishes,29storing,32typesof,29

Buildingcodes/permits,5

CCabinetcasestudiesframeandpanelcabinet,112–113musiccabinet,120–121sewingmachinecabinet,104–105

Carpenter'sglue,47Cedar,27,114–115Cedarchestcasestudy,114–115Chaircasestudiesdiningchairs,106–107rockingchairs,102–103

Chemicalsguidelinesforworkingwith,32removingoldfinisheswith,12,36,42–45sandingandscrapingbeforeusing,38typesof,23usingonfloors,20

Cherry,27Chestcasestudiescedarchest,114–115chestofdrawers,110–111Chestofdrawerscasestudy,110–111Cleaningfinishedsurfaces,137

Cleanuptips,33Clockcasestudy,116–117Coloringwooddecidingabout,13overviewof,60tipsfor,62–63usinganilinestains,61,63usinggelstains,61usingoil-basedliquidstain,61usingwater-basedliquidstains,61

Colorlayers,24Colorwashes,71Compressor-drivenHVLPsprayers,86Cordlessdrills,28Crazedfinishes,22,23

DDanishoil,82Darkoakstain,26Darkwalnutstain,26Decorativepaintingtechniques,70–71Denaturedalcoholidentifyingoldfinishwith,22makingshellacwith,84overviewof,23using,42

Dents,eliminating,19,56Deskcasestudy,134–135Detailbrushes,29Detailedareas,refinishing,102,105,112–113,120Detailsanders,28Detailscrapers,29Diningchaircasestudy,106–107Disposalofmaterialsregulationsabout,30

tipsfor,32Distressing,72,76Doorcasestudy,126–129Double-hungwindowcasestudy,124–125Drills,28Drumsandersandedgers,38,130Dyestains,62EEbonystain,26Electricalparts,repairing&/orreplacing,94Enamelpaints,66Epoxyglue,47Evaluatingprojects,16–19

FFilm-coatingfinishes,79,84–85Finishesaged,72–75agedrubbed,76–77alligatored,19,22,23antique,71blendingoutminorproblemsin,138cleaning,137clear,27colorwashes,71crazed,22,23dark,26evaluating,19finish-sanding,58fixingsurfaceflaws,56–57onfloors,removing,36,38identifyingold,22–23lacquer,23

layersof,24light,26Mission,108–109oil,23painted,27polyurethane,23preparingfor,13,54–55preparingsurfacefor,56–59removingold,12,36chemicalstripping,12,36,42–45heatstripping,12,36,40–41preparationfor,37scraping&sanding,36,38–39selectingnew,24–27shellac,23stenciled,71toolsfor,28–29typesof,23usingsandingsealers,58varnish,23

Finishingsanders,28Finish-sanding,58Fir,126–129Fireextinguishers,31Firstaidkits,31Floatingfloors,20Floorsevaluatingwoodforprojects,20mineralspiritsfor,20refinishing,130–133removingoldfinishes,36,38sandersfor,38usingchemicalson,20

Frame-and-panelcabinetcasestudy,112–113

Fruitwoodstain,26Fuming,108–109Furniturebeforeandafterrefinishingexamples,6–11antiquemantelclock,116–117antiqueradioconsole,122–123cabinets,104–105,112–113,120–121cedarchest,114–115chairs,102–103,106–107chestofdrawers,110–111desk,134–135diningchairs,106–107distressing,72,76evaluatingforrefinishing,17–19findinginformationabout,17finishes,removingold,12,36chemicalstripping,36,42–45heatstripping,36,40–41preparationfor,37scraping&sanding,36,38–39

frame-and-panelcabinet,112–113liquidsforrefinishing,43liquidwaxfordetailedareas,92mantelclock,116–117Missionfinishes,108–109painttypesfor,66radioconsole,122–123repairsonflatsurfacesof,50ofjoints,48–49ofspindles,legs&rungs,51

rockingchairs,102–103schooldesk,134–135sewingmachinecabinet,104–105tip-toptable,118–119Seealsohardware

SeealsohardwareFurniturerefinisherliquids,43

GGelstains,using,61,65Gelvarnishes,79Glass,removingandreinstalling,96Gluesdissolving,49removingexcess,47,55removingold,47toolsforusing,47typesof,47workingwith,47

Goldenmaplestain,26Goldenoakstain,26Gouges,repairing,13,54–55,114,116Grainfillersapplying,55,58woodsbestsuitedfor,24

Gravity-feedHVLPsprayers,87

HHardwarecleaning,95tocompleteproject,13oldfinishand,16removingandreattaching,96replacingitemsof,94

Heatguns,28Heatstripping,36,40–41Householditemsastools,28,56Householdsolvents,43HVLPsprayers,86–87,91

JJoints,repairing,48–49

KKnives,29Knottypine,27

LLacquerblendingoutminorproblemswith,138propertiesof,23Lacquerthinners,23,42

Lead-testingkits,22Legs,repairing,41,48Lemonoil,137Liquidstains,applying,65Liquidwax,92Looseveneer,repairing,53

MMahogany,24,26,118–119Maintenanceprogram,136,137Mantelclockcasestudy,116–117Maple,25,26,27,120–121,134–135Materialsforapplyingtopcoats,79forapplyingwoodstains,64forchemicalstripping,42forcleaninghardwareandaccessories,95forcreatingagedfinishes,72forcreatingagedrubbedfinishes,76disposalof,30,32forheatstripping,40

formaintenance,136foroilfinishes,82forpainting,68forquickfixes,136forrepairingfurnitureparts,48forrepairingjoints,48forrepairingveneer,52forrepairsonflatsurfaces,48

MCstrippers,42,43Mediumwalnutstain,26Metal,refurbishing,135MethyleneChloride(MC)strippers,42,43Mineralspiritsforchemicalstripping,42,43forfloors,20forfurniture,137propertiesof,23

Missionfinishcasestudy,108–109Musiccabinetcasestudy,120–121

NNailholes,repairing,56Natural-bristlepaintbrushes,29Nicks,fillingin,115NMPstrippers,43

OOak,25,26,102–103,106–107,108–109,112–113,126–133Oakstains,26Oil-basedliquidstains,using,61Oil-basedpaints,66,67Oilfinishesapplying,82–83

propertiesof,23Oilsformaintenance,137penetrating,79,82–83

PPaintbrushes,29Paintingdecorativetechniques,70–71overviewof,66–67preparationfor,68scraping,38–39techniques,69toolsfor,29

Paintingpads,29Paintsacryliccraft,71incolorwashes,71enamel,66oil-based,66,67water-based,66,67

Paintscrapers,29Parquetfloors,20Particleboard,18Pastewaxapplying,92–93forcleaning,137propertiesof,79astopcoat,24

Penetratingoils,79,82–83Permits,5Pigment-basedstains,62Pine,24,25,26,27,110–111,116–117,124–125Plugcounterbores,57Polyester-bristlepaintbrushes,29Polyurethaneproductsadvantagesof,79

applying,81,84–85propertiesof,23storing,80astopcoats,69

Poplar,26,122–123Powertools,28Putty,pretinted,56Puttyknives,29

RRadioconsolecasestudy,122–123Random-orbitsanders,28Recycling,refinishingas,6Redmahoganystain,26Redoak,24,25,26,126–133Refinishingoverviewof,12–13reasonsfor,6–11

Regulations,5Repairs/repairingcracks&breaksonflatsurfaces,50joints,48–49making,12makingbasic,46–47spindles,legs&rungs,51veneer,52–53

Reupholstering,97,107Rockingchaircasestudy,102–103Rubbingoil,82

SSafetybasic,5,30–31ofchemicalstrippers,42,43

lead-testingkits,22whenapplyingMissionfinish,108whenrepairing&/orreplacingelectricalparts,94whenusingchemicals,23whenusingsprayingfinishes,88

Sanders,28Sandingandscrapingoverviewof,36–37toolsfor,29,38–39,55

Sandingblocks,29Sandingcords,29,39Sandingdecorativefinishes,71Sandinggrips,29Sandingsealers,55,58Sandpaper,55Schooldeskcasestudy,134–135Scrapingandsandingoverviewof,36–37toolsfor,29,38–39,55

Scratchesrepairing,138–139repairingdeep,139repairingshallow,138

Scuffedareas,repairing,138Sealcoats,24absorptionrateand,25ofsandingsealer,58

Sewingmachinecabinetcasestudy,104–105Sheens,84Shellacfinishesblendingoutminorproblemswith,138identifyingoldfinishes,22,23makingown,84

Siphon-feedHVLPsprayers,87Softwoods,24,25,26,27,110–111,116–117,124–125Solderingirons,56Solvents,typesof,23,42,43

Spindles,repairing,41,48Sprayedfinishesapplying,89–91quantityneeded,87safetywith,88toolsfor,86–87

Sprayingbooths,88Stainsapplyingwood,62,64–65dyeversuspigment,62judgingcolorof,63overviewof,60removing,57typesof,26anilinedyes,61gel,61oil-basedliquid,61water-basedliquid,61

Stenciledfinishes,71Stencilingbrushes,29Storagetips,32Strippingbrushesfor,29withchemicals,12,16,42–43toolsfor,29

TTeardropsandingblocks/pads,29,39Tip-toptablecasestudy,118–119Toolsforapplyingsprayedfinishes,86–87forapplyingwoodstains,64basic,28forchemicalstripping,42forcleaninghardwareandaccessories,95forcreatingagedfinishes,72

forcreatingagedrubbedfinishes,76forfinishing,28–29forgluing,47forheatstripping,40householditemsas,28,56formaintenance,136forpainting,68forquickfixes,136forrepairingjoints,48forrepairingspindles,legs&rungs,48forrepairingveneer,52forscraping&sanding,29,38–39

Topcoats,24applying,13,78–81,80–81polyurethanefor,69purposeof,78typesofmaterials,79

Tungoil,storing,80Turbine-drivenHVLPsprayers,86

UUpholstery,97,107

VVarnishesadvantagesof,79blendingoutminorproblemswith,138propertiesof,23

Veneersevaluating,18repairing,52–53

Vinegardissolvinggluewith,49neutralizingbleachwith,57

WWalnut,27,104–105Walnutgrainpattern,27Walnutstains,26Water-basedliquidstains,using,61Water-basedpaints,66,67Waterspots/stainsevaluating,19removing,136

Wax,pasteapplying,92–93forcleaning,137propertiesof,79astopcoat,24

Whiteglue,47Whiteoak,26,102–103,106–107Windowcasestudy,124–125Wipe-onpolyurethane,79Wipe-onvarnishes,79Wirebrushes,29Woodabsorptionrateofdifferent,25bleaching,57coloring,13combinations,17evaluatingforrefinishing,17–19finishlayersfor,24grainfillersapplying,55,58woodsbestsuitedfor,24

grainpatternof,25maintenanceprogramfor,136,137preparingforpainting,68preparingforstaining,63quickfixesfor,137

Woodfloorsevaluatingforprojects,20

mineralspiritsfor,20refinishing,130–133removingoldfinishes,36,38sandersfor,38usingchemicalson,20

Woodputty,115Woodswellers,48Woodworkdoor&woodworkcasestudy,126–129evaluatingforprojects,21painttypesfor,66refinishing,126–129stripping,21

Workarea,guidelinesfor,30

ZZebrawood,27

Copyright©2006

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FINISHING&REFINISHINGWOOD

Createdby:TheEditorsofCreativePublishinginternational,Inc.,incooperationwithBlack&Decker.Black&Decker®isatrademarkofTheBlack&DeckerCorporationandisusedunderlicense.

Digitaledition:978-1-61673316-2

Hardcoveredition:978-1-5892-3288-4

LibraryofCongress

Cataloging-in-PublicationData

Finishing&refinishingwood:techniques&projectsforfinewoodfinishes.

p.cm.

Includesindex.

ISBN-13:978-1-58923-288-4(softcover)ISBN-10:1-58923-288-7(softcover)1.Furniturefinishing.2.Finishesandfinishing.I.Title:Finishingandrefinishingwood.

TT199.4.F46742006

684'.084--dc22

2006012737