OT: Starting my first ever furniture refinishing project, any suggestions?

1cheater · Nov 3, 2006

I've just started refinishing our kitchen set. It's over 100 years old, made a maple and has 4 chairs and a table with hide a way leafs at each end. I know what some will say: don't touch it, it's an antique, but I can't help myself. I know were gonna keep this table and probably never sell it. I have many years of experience with refinishing other thing's such as doors and woodwork, just looking for ideas from those who has tried this venture in the past and learned from their mistakes, maybe have a shortcut for me? I'm currently trying the stripper method, seems to be working pretty good. Anyone have a recomendation of a very good stripper? or a finish other then a good pollyurathane?

Comments would be greatly appreciated...

Kornholio · Nov 3, 2006

Stripper is O.K. but you will definetely have to do a lot of sanding. Do not sand anything finer than 120 on maple. The grain is too tight and finish will not stick to it if you do. Also maple stains blotchy unless you use woodsize (10-1 water/wood glue, wipe on, lete dry and scuff)first to even the grain, or use a gel stain. Polyurethane sucks. If you can spray the finish, I would use a post catalyzed lacquer (can be scuffed and recoated after an hour), or varnish. Use 220 paper to scuff. If you can't tell, this is what I do for a living.

1cheater · Nov 3, 2006

Excellent! Thanks for the advice Korn...You refinish furniture for a living?

"Also maple stains blotchy unless you use woodsize (10-1 water/wood glue, wipe on, lete dry and scuff)first to even the grain"

You lost me there, what is woodsize? a form of conditioner?

Any recomendation on products, ie: Miniwax, etc..?

Will go the route of varnish since spraying is not an option in my basement. I'm think satin.

Kornholio · Nov 3, 2006

I am a cabinetmaker/woodworker, and have been so for my whole working life. Gonna be starting my own little business here pretty soon on the side.

The best products bar none are M.L. Campbell. You would have to get on their site to see where the closest dealer is. If you can't find it just go to a paint store and talk to them about what you are doing. Hopefully they will lead you in the right direction about good product. If you want quality I would not buy that crap you would get at Home Depot or Menards. Minwax is garbage.

As far as woodsize it is just 10 parts water mixed with 1 part wood glue. Wipe it on, wipe it off, then let it dry for a good several hours. Or you could use wood conditioner with o.k results, not great. We just stain it w/o doing all that because of the time, but it is blotchy. Maple sucks, it is my least favorite wood to work with.

SamOdom · Nov 3, 2006

Cheater, is your avatar your kid?

1cheater · Nov 3, 2006

Kornholio said:
I am a cabinetmaker/woodworker, and have been so for my whole working life. Gonna be starting my own little business here pretty soon on the side.

The best products bar none are M.L. Campbell. You would have to get on their site to see where the closest dealer is. If you can't find it just go to a paint store and talk to them about what you are doing. Hopefully they will lead you in the right direction about good product. If you want quality I would not buy that crap you would get at Home Depot or Menards. Minwax is garbage.

As far as woodsize it is just 10 parts water mixed with 1 part wood glue. Wipe it on, wipe it off, then let it dry for a good several hours. Or you could use wood conditioner with o.k results, not great. We just stain it w/o doing all that because of the time, but it is blotchy. Maple sucks, it is my least favorite wood to work with.

Thanks again for the advice Korn :toast: Will look into M.L Campbell products, I believe I seen them at a Valu hardware store by me.

Sam, yes, tis my boy :suomi: