I am just about wrapped up on a set of 8 walnut parsons chairs. the only part that will be visible after upholstering will be the legs. I have some questions about the finishing of the legs:
1. Should I dye the legs before I finish the chairs to even out the color? I really like the look of unstained wood, but wonder about the variability of the grain.
2. What finish will stand up best to the abuse chair legs get: varnish, poly, shellac, or lacquer (would have to be some sort of brush on finish).
3. Will any/all of these finishes allow me to give one coat of oil (to make the color and grain pop a bit) prior to using one of the above?
Thanks for any advice you can offer
Weasel
Replies
1. I assume the Walnut being used is English Walnut? Whether to even the color out or not is a highly subjective thing. Do what appeals to you. Natural variation in color can add character to the finished product that artificial coloring can never match. It all depends on what appeals to you or the customer.
I posted a couple pics in the Gallery a week or so ago of an antique vanity that I refinished. The bulk of it is a mixture of English and American Black Walnut veneers. I used a mixture of Minwax's Provincial and Natural oil stains. The provincial stain provided color which did even things out to a small degree. But, not so much as to look artificially colored. The Natural oil was used to dilute the strength of the color provided by the Provincial. And, being oil stain, it didn't muddy up the appearance of the wood, like pigmented stains can. I topped it off with sprayed Precat Lacquer and am very pleased with the results.
2. What finish to use depends on several factors IMO. Who is the end customer? If the chairs are for a paying customer I'd probably opt for a more durable finish like the poly or a varnish, just to provide the longest wearing finish possible. If the chairs are for you there is one important thing to consider. In general, the more durable the finish, the more difficult (sometimes virtually impossible) it is to touch up nicks and scratches without said touch ups being obvious to everyone. Something like the Shellac or a lacquer would be less durable, yet would lend itself to being touched up so that nobody would ever know where the touch up was done.
3. Yes. But, you'll want to give the oil enough time to cure before top-coating. At a bare minimum I would give any oil at least 24 hours drying time before putting anything over it. If it's a commercial product, follow the manufactorer's instructions and you should be fine.
Regards,
Kevin
Thanks Kevin
The answers were pretty much what I was looking for. Actually, I am using black walnut and my chairs are for She Who Must Be Obeyed. Do you think there will be any problem with the shellac over oil? I have never used shellac before, but it seems like a pretty fool proof product (right up my alley).
I am thinking (right now anyway) I will go with the shellac. I like the ability to be able to touch up easily without doing a total strip job. It always irks me when my work gets scuffed/scratched and an easy touch-up is the ticket.
I sought out your re-finishing job. Looks great! It always amazed me what some people will discard. Years ago, I salvaged a table from being discarded. It was stained really dark, scarred and scratched, and blotched with spilled paint. I immediately recognized it as oak and with a little work I revealed some beautiful grain filled with absolutely stunning rays. I redesigned it into a smaller table (to get rid of some of the gouges in the edges) and ended up with a table with wood I am sure could not find today.
Weasel
Shellac should work fine. Just make sure you give the oil enough time to dry. If it were me... this is where the subjective nature of wood finishing comes in... I wouldn't attempt to even out the color unless you've got some sapwood. Black Walnut heartwood is my all-time favorite wood, colorwise. It's absolutely gorgeous stuff IMO. Although, I haven't seen any Walnut that I didn't like.
I hear ya on the discarded old furniture thing. Before the vanity in the Gallery I was given another vanity by my father-in-law. It was in even worse shape. Drawer runners were missing... the mirror was missing... heck, parts of the mirror frame were missing. But, it had the most beautiful Black Walnut veneer on it. Unfortunately, my youngest daughter has a thing for drawing on stuff with permanent ink markers. One night when I thought she was asleep she took a red marker to the vanity and ruined it. I parked it in the front yard with a "Free" sign and the next morning it was gone. Needless to say the vanity I did refinish remains at my workplace for the time being. I don't wanna have to refinish it again. LOL
Regards,
Kevin
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