I recently acquired this cherry coffee table and it had a couple of big black stains on it. I tried to bleach it (oxalic acid, chlorox). Among other mistakes, I think I also made the mistake for not bleaching the whole surface from the beginning. I now end up with a large area in the middle that’s lighter. Also, I think I might have tried to scrub too hard over the stained areas that they are now not as smooth as the rest of the table surface.
At the moment, I don’t know (1) if I should keep on trying to bleach the surrounding area to try and get it to be more even toned or (2) just trying to stain and varnish.
Would someone please give me some suggestions and pointers on how to do this correctly? If I do (2), what are the staining techniques that I may apply to get an even tone? I’m thinking of using Bartley brown mahogany stain and its varnish.
Thanks in advance for any help I may be able to get!
Replies
Probably not a good idea to do any staining or finishing until you get the wood color evened out. Admiting to not being an expert here, but I'd try gradually bleaching out the rest to get the top as even as possible, do a good sanding job, starting with 120 or 150 and going carefully through the grits to 220. Then, if you can take the time, let the table sit where it will get even sun, but not too hot, for a day or so. That should darken the cherry some.
Is the Barley's you're referring to the gel stain? Good! That's what you want to use. Might be a good idea to test it on the bottom side first, get a feel for how it applies, since you can't do the usual sample board thing.
That's my guess. Maybe the experts will check in soon. Good luck!
forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Forestgirl,
Your suggestion makes sense and seems not too difficult to achieve I was thinking of doing some sanding but I read somewhere that it's a no no on refinishing so the old patina could be preserved. I guess preserving the patina vs. having an uneven stain job in this situation is too difficult.
Yes I'm using Bartley gel stain and varnish. I've found out I have less of a chance of messing things up with Bartley's and there's no clean up and no sanding.
Thanks again!
novice girl
Yep, you're way past the point of worrying about patina. That "rule" relates mostly to valuable antiques where the effort of true preservation is demanded. It's also often just expedient to dissolve rather than strip a finish when possible, but in this situation you need to get that top evened out. Luckily, with cherry, you can suntan it.
BTW, do a search on "cherry" and "sun" over the last 6 months or a year. You should get some threads that will help you on that topic.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Dear Forest girl,
I really appreciate your help. Your advices give me more realistic goals to work on given the level I'm at and the limited time that I have. I'm bleaching the table and will do those things you suggested. It will take me a while to get the work done but I'll keep you posted. I really love doing and learning all this refinishing work! I got the table towards the end of an estate sale and nobody seems to want it because of the big black stain. But when I looked at the wood and the simplicity but elegance of the design, I liked it so much and bought it. I think it's going to come out alright.
THANKS so much!
Novice, if you have refinishing in your blood, let me recommend a great book: The Weekend Refinisher by Bruce Johnson. Back in the days when I bought and sold antique and vintage furniture, I read and re-read this book a number of times. It will help you more than you can imagine! Very well-organized and easy to follow, but entertaining too. Less than $20.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Forestgirl, Thanks. I'll get the book!
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