So, I just delivered an entertainment center to a client, and received a call from his wife asking me if I was on drugs, or just wearing rose colored glasses when I stained the piece. Needless to say that I will have to do something about the color.
The peice is a pine cabinet with a fair amount of profiled moldings all around it. I used a light cherry stain after conditioning the wood, and then finished with two coats of poly. I think that it looks quite nice, but my opinion doesn’t count!
Anyway, any suggestions for changing the color without stripping the finish and starting over? I was thinking about tinting subsequent coats of varnish to alter the color, but then the piece might get too dark. Could I use some sort of bleaching to lighten the color? Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Peter
Replies
Does she have a piece of furniture in a color she likes? I often 'borrow' a door or drawer from a customer and bring it to my shop so I have a reference when I'm ready to stain. I ALWAYS do some sample pieces (not 2" squares, either) and take them to the customers home for their approval. I do this at their home so we can all see the samples in their lighting.
You may have a problem now that the piece is finished. You may need to make up several samples with the finish you used so you can experiment with ways to get what she wants.
Good Luck!
J, I am not a finish whiz (perhaps this will keep your question for one who is), but It seems to me you're going to want to spend some time back in the lab with this -I agree about the samples (last post). The good news is, you are in a position to start with as much sample material as you need (i'm assuming you have stock, finish left over) and you don't have to match any existing finish. The bad news, Radically changing the appearance without stripping might require a heavy buildup, and it won't get any lighter. With the poly on there, you might as well be painting a car. That said, I once put several successive coats of tinted poly urethane over a stained front door. I used a sprayer (HVLP) and then an airbrush to get the exact look I wanted, and figured I was risking going too thick. this was five years ago, and I just drove by the door two days ago - it looks great ("Bombay Mahogany" by Polyshades with UV protection). My advice: you're already in a hole with this client, make a few samples quickly and see if she's game. Don't kill yourself trying to create perfection as she may not like anything. saul
p.s. You forgot to mention, what kind of drugs were you on?
Unfortunately, none --that was the problem!
Who decided on the color? Did the clients have a chance to approve it before you started finishing? What, if anything, does your contract say about color approval? Have you been paid?
There are a few things you did not tell us. What color does she want? Lighter or darker on the color you have? Do you have spray equipment?
The best way to alter the color on a finished piece is by TONING. That is spraying on a different color to alter the look of tone the other colors. Its like seeking up on the desired color.
Let us know more detail and we may be able to help. Other wise she may have to live with it, or you will be doing a lot of sanding.
Ouch! I always get the client to sign off on a color sample...using the "real" wood..and explaining caveats that the final may be a touch different...wood variation, etc..and have never had a call back. But that's all 20/20 hindsight and of absolutely no help to you now.
I'd cut 6-8 pieces of the original wood and finish it EXACTLY like you did before....do a full finish run..including the two coats of polyurethane..don't skimp here...do the full finishing schedule. Get a sample of SOMETHING that she likes, and then get some transtint dyes, or other dyes that will be compatible with your clear poly varhish. Use the dyes to color the clear polyurethane, and make some samples until you get one that she likes..this assumes that she just wants something warmer, cooler or darker. If she wants lighter, I see no options other than stripping and starting over...no fun. Your two challenges with this is getting the color "right" and then compatibility...as long as you just tone the poly and do more coats, you shouldn't have a problem. When you show her the final samples, I'd do all of that in the room that the piece is in...so the light is identical..important here....
I'd also assess whether your client can be pleased..period. There's the occaisional person that just won't like ANYTHING.... Give her money back or make your decision about what you're going to do and walk away if that's the case.....and learn your lesson.
I'd be responsive, eager to please, and try to get her to "own" her piece of this....not specifying colors, providing samples.
And learn your lessons about getting sign-off so that this never happens again.
lp
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