I have an old buffet that I have stripped of all its paint. I think its oak. I doubt I can stain it.?
Jan 08, 2009 by elizabeth v | Posted in Do It Yourself (DIY)
It has a lot of filagre work on it and it quite decorative. I am toying with the idea of antiquing it but dont know what color combination to use. I live in Fl. and have a tropical decor.
You can paint the piece with Navajo White semi gloss or eggshell latex. You cannot use a flat paint.
Sherwin Williams or Lowe's should carry this color.
When dry go over it with a min wax gel stain of your choice. Special Walnut or Jacobean both give a nice antiqued look. Or you can use an antiquing glaze, sold at Lowe's in the faux finish dept.
If you can get a scrap piece of wood and see what colors you like before you start.
Use a chipper brush and apply the stain or glaze, take an old t- shirt or any soft rag and rub the stan in to the reveals of the piece.
I think you will like it.
lilly b | Jan 10, 2009
If it's oak why on earth would you want to stain it? That's just plain mad.
Most woods will darken naturally in sunlight, if you want to keep it pale then keep it in a dark room. If you want to darken it, keep it in sunlight.
If you want to ebonise wood then you can do this with a solution of iron filings and vinegar.
Personally I would wax it or use tung oil.
Kity R | Jan 08, 2009
I wouldn't do anything for it either, I probably wouldn't of stripped it down even, just let it look like it's age.
Do like the other person said about options to keep it in good shape.
Good luck
geo e | Jan 08, 2009
You have stripped it, and there is white paint left in groves, grain? Great! Now, just take a finish and "white wash" it for a pickled look..it will not take much pickling. Once done, use Polyurethane satin varnish and it will be beautiful! Do not try to make something old look new, it rarely works out well. minwax makes just what you are looking for.."white wash finish" Apply very thinly and evenly. If you pull the old "antique kit look," it will just look as if you have gimicked it into a coma...far too 60's looking! Good luck
goldwing | Jan 08, 2009
I've stained several of my oak pieces and they look fantastic. There are different shades of oak stains running from light to heavy....the heavy is often used on tiger oak that has deep, heavy graining. Of course, a clear sealant is also a good option since it will put a nice finish on the wood and protect it from moisture, damage and so on.
Tung oil is also a nice choice, though will make the oak slightly darker.
Since the piece has already been stripped, there isn't any reason why you can't antique it. The traditional color ~ and one that certainly would work in a tropical decor ~ is to paint it white, then antique it with an umber topcoat.
Another option is to stain it dark oak, then antique it with a yellow topcoat.
Jeanbug | Jan 08, 2009
AFter getting down to the beauty of the wood, why antique? Sorry, but I would just use clear polyurethane and sand lightly in-between about 6 coats!
Grandma | Jan 11, 2009