I am working on a project for a client, an 8′ long table made of quarter sawn Red Oak! I am trying to put a Mission Finish on it. I tried the method suggested by Jeff Jewitt which as as follows:
A 50/50 dye stain – 1/2 Dark Mission Brown – 1/2 Medium Brown (I used Transfast Water Soluble dye, not Trans Tint Dye)
Two coats of of Dewaxed Orange Shellac
One coat of Bartleys Walnut Gel Stain (Yes, I know Jeff recommened McCloskey’s Van Dyke Brown Stain – but, I couldn’t find it locally!)
I finished up with 2 coats of Bartleys Gel Varnish!
All of this was done on test pieces!
The client compared it to a table she had gotten from “Restoration Hardware” and said it needs more orange! The finish she wants has a beautiful deep reddish orange glow to it.
The finish sample I took do come off dark brown with out any Red or Orange in it.
My question is, if I add “Orange” water soluble dye to the solution, will it add orange to the finish, or should I start with “orange” and add a darker dye? In other words, I am confused, how do I get there????
Replies
Wally, I'm probably suggesting the obvious, but just in case: Have you gone to the forum at Jeff Jewitt's website, http://www.homesteadfinishing.com, and posted your question there?
I'm sure you'll get some good responses here (hold tight; weekends can be slow), but I know that Jeff answers many of the Homestead Finishing forum questions himself... he's been helpful on several occasions when I've posted there.
As for his Mission finish, I've used his method and loved the results... but then again, I got exactly what I wanted in terms of final color. The orange shellac added just enough warmth for me. I don't have much experience working with dyes... yet. Sorry I can't be of more help.
David
Look, I made a hat -- Where there never was a hat!
In simplistic terms, when matching a color as you are doing, start light and move towards dark. In this case, start orange and move towards brown. A color wheel sitting in front of you ($5 at a craft or artist supply store) can come in real handy for the "now what do I add to get here" question. Jewitt sells one on the homestead site which I am told is more in the "wood tones" than your basic color wheel is, which is primary color driven only.
I'd try a few changes to get a better match; 1) don't use the dark mission brown dye - just the medium brown - it has more of a reddish tone; 2) use dewaxed garnet shellac in place of the orange shellac - also redder, and; 3) also use the garnet or orange shellac over the stain, before the varnish (use as many coats as needed to get the "deep reddish orange look."
Alone, or in combination, these changes will add red/orange to the color of the finish. I'd guess the key in getting a good match will be the final coats of garnet shellac, before the varnish.
Paul
F'burg, VA
Edited 11/10/2002 2:08:09 PM ET by Paul S
Thanks guys for the input - I have posted on Homestead Finishing, and I will try starting with the "Orange" and using Garnet Shellac! Unfortunately, that means another mail order, but I am being very meticulous in recording what formulations and finishes I use, and if I ever come close to the finish, I will let you all know how I achieved it. Thanks again!
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