Replies

1. 
   SteveSchoene | Apr 14, 2006 06:27am | #1

   Very challenging since a good part of the look is due to fading.  You can't make it lighter with stain or dye.  Some do use a gold, or orange, dye--not too concentrated to shift the color tone, and then use a dark shellac to get it some depth of color and remove the articifiality of the color. 

   Of course, not all walnut is created equally, so you should be on the lookout for light wood.  I'd call the some of the walnut sellers in PA, such as Good Hope Hardwood, Groff and Groff, and Hearn Hardwoods, if such a thing can be located.  Also Irion lumber might be a source, though I think of them more for mahogany. 

   One way I have heard for doing such a thing involves bleaching the walnut with 2-part wood bleach.  Then the walnut would be recolored with a combination of dye and stain.  I have never done this so can't be very helpful with specifics. The problem with this is the color in the figure could also be leveled out, leaving the wood lifeless without lots of artistry.   

   If you have a good sunny location you can probably get a decent start, enough to remove the "new" in a year or so.  Turn a few times so you don't just get one side looking old.  I do have a walnut cabinet that did fade fairly significantly in such a period--unfortunately primarily on one side. 

   In any event, make lots of test boards, with all the steps right to the final top coating.  By the way, in my opinion, shellac is the only top coat that has a prayer of looking really right in such a project. 

    

2. 
   BOBABEUI | Apr 14, 2006 04:33pm | #2

   Wow, that walnut looks killer in that shot, the carving is killer also.

   I would guess that maybe the really really diluted orange dye and shellac as recommended by SteveSchoene would get you the closest to that look. Maybe Rob Millard has some other suggestions

   
   

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   Edited 4/14/2006 9:36 am ET by BOBABEUI