Replies

1. 
   SteveSchoene | Jan 31, 2010 05:59am | #1

   There are lots of peresonal choices to be made in finishing Mission or Arts and Crafts furniture, depending on the wood used and the look desired. First a few comments on what you have given. First, the dye. I prefer powdered water soluble dye in distilled water, to liquid concentrate in water (ie. TransFast over TransTint) Sanding after the dye should be VERY light--just to knock down raised grain. I'd use 320 grit only, not sanding TO 220. Personally, before sanding I'd apply a wash coat of 1 lb. cut dewaxed shellac (Seal Coat comes in only one color, blond, and comes from the can at 2 lb. cut.) Then I would sand the raised grain with less chance of sanding through and the fibers stiffened by the shellac. Then I'd use a pigment only stain, (actually a glaze since it's over the sealed wood), not a Minwax stain, most of which include dye, to give the dark pores in oak. The wash coat will preserve a bit more of the base color between the pores, but won't do so entirely since a single 1 lb. cut coat of shellac won't seal completely. Then for top coats, I'd either continue with a few coats of shellac--your choice of color, or use a wiping varnish. Polyurethane isn't necessary on firniture. You don't want a thick glossy finish on A & C furniture. Stickley use lacquer at some times. Remember Stickley was made in a factory.

   Here are two schedules for mission finish, both by Jeff Jewitt. The first is more recent and is currently on Jeff's Homestead Finishing web pages.

   http://www.homesteadfinishingproducts.com/pdf/mission_oak_rev11-2009.pdf

   The second schedule was originally published by Jeff on the old Badger Pond forum, retained as an archive in the Wood Central forum pages.

   http://www.woodcentral.com/bparticles/missionoak.shtml

   I suggest reading both before deciding on your own schedule. Your sample boards should guide you.