Replies

1. 
   CRAIGCONEY_M | Oct 19, 2004 06:40pm | #1

   I'd seal the cherry with a 1# cut of dewaxed shellac, stain, and make a toner to even it out. 

1. 
   Novice | Oct 20, 2004 10:32am | #4

   Craig,

   I don't understand "#1 cut of dewaxed shellac" and how do I make a toner?  This is the tail end of a kitchen project I started two years ago.  I bought Jeff Jewitt's book "Great Wood finishes" and followed his method 2 on finishing cherry on page 96.  I only do refinishing occasionally and I'm not a professional.  Would you please be so kind and explain to me in a little bit more details?

   THANKS!

1. 
   CRAIGCONEY_M | Oct 20, 2004 07:21pm | #5

   I'm not familiar with the book you have referenced( it is not in my library).  A one pound cut of dewaxed shellac- basically you thin down the dewaxed shellac that you buy with denatured alcohol- you can vary the cut to adjust how much the stain will penetrate into the wood.  Basically you are sealing the 'more open grain' of the wood to even out the stain and get more control of the process.

   For your toner, I'm not certain what top coat material you are using.  I make my toner by adding tints to either my sanding sealer or top coat depending on the situation.  You can also add tints and dyes to shellac to achieve the same effect.  Always do a clear coat over your toner.    You can brush or spray the toner on to even out the colors.  The idea is to have it light enough in color to apply successive coats to acheive the desired level of color. 

   One other thing you can try on your doors is to attempt to lightly sand the older door( or darker door)  to get it to the lighter color.  If your panel is veneered plywood, I don't think this will work, as the tanin has more than likely darkened through the veneer. 

   I hope this helps.

   Edited 10/20/2004 12:30 pm ET by craig

1. 
   Novice | Oct 21, 2004 06:18am | #6

    

   Craig,

   What I did to the other doors was as follows(from the book): apply a 2-lb cut of shellac. Wait 30 mins, lightly scuff-sand and then apply Bartley gel stain.  I don't claim to know the chemistry of shellac and alcohol.  But I guess, if I do the one-pound shellac as you said, and adjust to it, then I can then apply the gel stain (one or two coats) and then the gel varnish?  By "top coat", are you referring to the stain?

   The surface of the darker door feels rougher than the lighter one.  I think I will try the sanding first.  The thicker part of the door is solid wood.  The recessed part is veneer.

   I won't be able to do anything till the weekend.  I'll let you know what kind of progress I may make.

   THANKS so much for your help and have a good one!

   novice.

    

    

1. 
   Novice | Oct 21, 2004 06:19am | #7

   Also, if it's sunny, I'll try to put the lighter door out in the sun first as John had suggested.

2. 
   CRAIGCONEY_M | Oct 21, 2004 08:27am | #8

   Is the darker door from the original batch or the new door? 

   Basically what will happen is the lighter cut of shellac will allow more pigment absorption into the fibers of the wood.  A  heavier cut will minimize the penetration.  Since your original recipe used a 2# cut, I would not cut the shellac any more unless you are trying to get the lighter door darker.  If you want to control the penetration of the stain more on the darker door, apply say a 3# cut on the darker door - or a second coat of 2# cut -

   By top coat, it would be your gel varnish.   My top coats are usually lacquer or polyurethane. 

   BTW- what part of socal are you in? 

3. 
   Novice | Oct 21, 2004 09:54am | #9

   Craig,

   The darker door is the new batch.  In restrospect, I think I left it out in the sun too long (for several days and bringing in in the evening) and failed to check it against the older door to stop the sun exposure.  My regular job is very hectic so I have little time to do some of these things or do it diligently.

   I live in the west los angeles are, in an old house built in 1926.

   Thanks for all your help and for the education!

4. 
   CRAIGCONEY_M | Oct 21, 2004 09:58pm | #10

   yoiu could put the lighter door outside, but my concern would be that the pair will be darker than your originals.

    

5. 
   Novice | Oct 22, 2004 06:39am | #11

   That's why I'm a novice!!!!!!! 

   :-)

6. 
   Novice | Dec 12, 2004 08:06pm | #12

   I finally got around to finish the doors.  Here's how they look now.  I have a can of Zehrung clear shellac.  I mixed this shellac with an equal part of denatured alcohol.  Applied it and then sand it with 320 paper.  I then stained with Bartley brown mahogany and then varnished with Bartley gel varnish.  One door got a little bit more stain than the other.

   Thanks for your help and for everyone's help as well!

   Have a nice day!

   
2. 
   JohnWW | Oct 19, 2004 11:29pm | #2

   Have you tried putting the original and now lighter door out in the sun?

   John W.

1. 
   Novice | Oct 20, 2004 10:18am | #3

   John,

   No I have not.  Good idea!  I'll try it the next time we get some sunshine.  It's been a raining week in Southern California.

   THANKS for the suggestion.

2. 
   Novice | Dec 12, 2004 08:16pm | #13

   John,

   I finally got around to finish the cabinet doors.  You can see the picture I posted in my message to Craig.  The staining didn't have a perfect match, but it's alright for me.  Thanks for your help!