Have a Vilas Rock Maple Bookcase Headboard,that had numerous white cloudy rings on the top,as I proceeded to rub them out,the finish kept flaking off to bare wood.
Decided to refinish just the top…but don’t know the best method to build the colour up to match the existing color(orange/brown tones).
Are you familiar with Vilas Candlelight finish?
Vilas was colonial style furniture made in Cowansville,Quebec,Canada
Thank You
Replies
ZiggyD,
I am not familiar with that furniture brand.
White rings are the sign of water or alcohol damage. If the finish is flaking off it doesn't have a good bond to the wood.
You say you are refinishing the top.
With what? It's possible to tint a finish as a toner or glaze the sealed surface then build the finish.
Give me a little more info on what you are doing.
Peter
Hi Peter,
Sorry...I should have been a little more clear, I have only so far removed the finish from top of bookcase headboard with 80 grit sanding.
It came of relatively easy because it was so dessicated.The bed is I suppose 50-60 yrs old.It probably was a mom and pop bed passed down to their children when they up graded to queen,that is probably how it sustained all the abuse on the top.(great place to set your drinks).The rest of the finish is intact and in good repair other than normal scratches here and there,mostly around where the steel rails hook in.I am a newbie with dyes and shellac coatings,but am a quick read,and enjoy a challenge.I usually use Minwax oil based wood finishes,and if need be, a Pre stain wood conditioner.I have good results top coating with Circa 1850 antique paste varnish,rubbing 3 to 4 coats with scuff sanding in between.Buffing out with Clapham's Beeswax Polish.
However, this is not going to work this time,even by mixing different wood stains for colour match, because the rock maple will only absorb so much of it,even finished sanded to 150 grit.I am looking to create an orange/brown tone.I have scrap rock maple to practice different combinations and methods to achieve the desired finish.
This is hand finish only,no spray equipment.I have watched your video"Sealing and Colouring with Shellac",which is an excellent reference.Would this be (with practice,of course),a method I could incorporate.
ZiggyD,
This is a project that is ripe for glazing. Glaze is a layer of color that goes on a sealed surface.
Once you have a first coat of sealer or finish, give it a light sanding and clean the dust off.
Now you can add a layer of color by using a gel stain. I was doing some color samples for someone today and they had provided some General brand gel stains. I only used a couple but one called Prairie Wheat had a light golden brown with a hint of orange
You can use them right out of the can or thin them a little. Use a pad or cloth and apply them somewhat sparingly. You can remove some of the excess with a cloth or paper towel and then with a soft brush lightly brush it to blend it in. This is also known as "feathering the glaze" You can intermix the gels to fine tune the color as required.
You should be able to proceed with your finish of choice when it's dry. Be sure and read the directions on the can for this.
Peter
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