Replies

1. 
   peter28 | Dec 10, 2007 04:30pm | #1

   gmc,

   A couple of options;

   You can sand the lacquer surface well (220-320) and then paint them in a color to match your decor.

   Sand the surface well, glaze the surface with a gel stain or one you make. Once dry it can be sealed with shellac. You can then apply a varnish if you wish or just let the shellac be your finish. It will perform well in this capacity.

   Sand the surface well, glaze, spray a barrier coat of shellac or vinyl sealer. Sand when dry and re-spray with a lacquer. The lacquer can be tinted accordingly to give more depth.

   One is the easiest but will be a solid color.

   Two is fairly basic and can be done by hand.

   Three is a little more advanced as you'll need spray equipment to do it.

   There must be a new "buzz" for this particular look. I just finished teaching a finishing class and three of the people wanted to do an "espresso color"

   Good luck.

   Peter

    

1. 
   saschafer | Dec 10, 2007 08:13pm | #2

   "There must be a new 'buzz' for this particular look. I just finished teaching a finishing class and three of the people wanted to do an 'espresso color'"

   It's the latest craze. It's been around for a year or two, but is now catching on in full force. A couple of years from now, you'll be getting questions about how to get that !@# $% espresso stain off of maple and ash.

   -Steve

    

    

1. 
   peter28 | Dec 10, 2007 08:47pm | #3

   Steve,

   That's why I work in glazes a lot. Far easier to get that deep color off having not forced it deeply into the grain. FWIW, that's the restorer in me; I like things to be reversible.

   I forget exactly the time line but white pickled floors and cabinets were all the rage at one point. IMO I was so glad that look died a quick death.

   Peter

2. 
   gcocco | Dec 14, 2007 09:05pm | #4

   Thanks Peter,
   I think I'll be trying number "2". One additional question. The shelving I'm painting has metal rails on each end to hang the shelves. These are currently painted white. How should I deal with these? I guess I'm asking if the gel stain will cover the paint on the metal also, or do I need another paint for these rails?

   I am *not* happy about this "expresso craze"! Thanks for your help.Gerry

1. 
   peter28 | Dec 17, 2007 04:35pm | #5

   Gerry,

   On the rails;

   If you scuff them with a scotch pad, lay a little gel on them. Because they are white it might need a second application to deepen it accordingly. You might just get away doing that. As long as the rails aren't getting handled at all it should't be a concern.

   You could also give them a sanding and paint them with a little van dyke brown japan paint. These can be found at any of the suppliers like Homestead products etc.

   The great thing about japans is they dry rapidly.

   Another option for painting is a spray can but then you need to tape everything off.

   As long as they are fairly inconspicuous, use the gel.

   Peter