Replies

1. 
   Gretchen | Jun 26, 2005 06:31am | #1

   You cannot "strip" wicker--no matter what its origin is--antique or recent vintage. 

   If it is a "natural" finish then "deal with it".  If you wnat to paint it, get a good spray gun.

   Come back and talk about it.  If she wants it to remain a "natural' color, then a coat of lacquer or shellac may renew it a bit and darken it  a little.

   Gretchen
1. 
   Dave45 | Jun 26, 2005 04:26pm | #2

   Thanks, Gretchen.  I was about half afraid that that was going to be the answer.  I had this mental picture of trying to use a stripper and some stiff brushes, or something.

   The furniture is about 10 yrs old and is in great shape aside from some minor wear and tear.  Painting isn't an option - she wants a "wood look". 

   Maybe I'll have her give it a good cleaning then spray it with an oil based poly.  Do you know of any dyes or colorants that could be mixed with the poly to give it it a darker color?

1. 
   jazzdogg | Jun 26, 2005 05:24pm | #3

   "Maybe I'll have her give it a good cleaning then spray it with an oil based poly.  Do you know of any dyes or colorants that could be mixed with the poly to give it it a darker color?"

   Dave,

   I'd wash it down with denatured alcohol or lacquer thinner, let it dry, and spray on tinted lacquer - it is available in spray cans in several "wood tones."

   Oil-based poly is, in my experience, a little too heavy-bodied for this application, and because it's oil-based, it is likely to run and create a challenging situation where the material overlaps or intersects.

   Good luck,

   -Jazzdogg-

   Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're right.

   Edited 6/26/2005 10:28 am ET by jazzdogg

1. 
   Dave45 | Jun 26, 2005 08:54pm | #4

   Jazzdogg -

   Hadn't thought of tinted lacquer.  That might be a good solution - and help me maintain my title of DAD, THE ALL KNOWING.  I should be able to spray it with my HVLP rig.

   I don't know if you have grown daughters, but I'm finding it harder and harder to keep them believing that dear old Dad is omnipotent. - lol

2. 
   mikegagne | Jun 27, 2005 01:54am | #5

   Dave, I have refinished over 1000 pieces of wicker in my time in hawaii, the hotels are full of the stuff. You have to scrape/sand off the original finish due to suntan lotion, skin oil, silicone based dusting products and then you will have a raw rattan cane. Lots of them have a blotchy color which may not affect your dark recoloring. Use a pigmented lacquer for the coloring (sprayed on of course) and then clear coat over it. Its a lot of work to get the original finish off but likely the only way you will get a new finish to adhere. My experience with rattan/wicker is where they are mfg the finish products are thinned way down and do not have the film integrity for long life in a "real" environment. Aloha, Mike

1. 
   Dave45 | Jun 27, 2005 06:34am | #6

   Thanks, Mike -

   Luckily, #1 daughter's furniture hasn't takern quite the wear and tear that hotel furniture takes.  She was just here for dinner and she's planning on doing the cleaning, etc.  All I have to do is find a tinted lacquer and spray it when she's done.  Life is good. - lol

3. 
   WillGeorge | Jun 28, 2005 04:01am | #7

   Not sure why I like it but I just clean it ever year with bleach and wash it off.. Then some soap and water.. RINCE ALOT!  Still looks OK!