Hi – I’m attempting to stain/finish a cherry tavern table my husband is building and I’m trying to find the best resource/book for creating an antique finish. I recently e-mailed a furniture maker who’s work I find beautiful and they briefly described to me an 18 step process that they use (really? 18 steps?). They started with a dye which I think brings out the imperfections in the wood and then they move to stains and hand rubbing. I’m not scared off by number of steps involved, I’m just not sure of the products and process.
Anyway – I want to learn to do this or at least make a valiant attempt at it. I’ve seen a lot of books on finishing, but nothing quite like what I’m looking for.
Any suggestions??
Thanks!
Replies
If you want an "instant antique" look, you should consider glazes. Most of the standard finishing books (Jewitt, Flexner, Dresdner) discuss this technique. One that goes into it a bit more than most is Sue Nobel's "Perfect Wood Finishing Made Easy" (Betterway Books). Glazing, in a nutshell, is using a product that's high in pigments and low in binders between coats of finish. Some people use gel stain. I like to get them made up by my paint store from a Valspar Glaze Base. (The Guardsman Glaze she uses on most of her project is discontinued and Guardsman is now an acquisition of Valspar.)
You may also consider distressing. Scratches, dents, wear marks, and worm holes, when conservatively done, add to the "used" look.
Edited 11/26/2004 4:37 pm ET by KMEALY
If it is cherry wood that you are using (as you say) do remember that it will naturally darken over a year's time.
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