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Advice on finishing old chairs

G

Gremmy

Seedling
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Egham
Good afternoon all,

I'm refurbishing two old sentimental chairs for someone, they were his Grandfathers and he is in his 70's so they're over 100 years +.


Having limited experience with finishes and before I purchase a load of different options and go for trial and error approach, I'd really appreciate if someone could point me in the right direction before I start throwing money about.

This is the original chair finish - The wood is dark and there is a sheen to it. If hit with something hard, it chips off.

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Have stripped off all the old finish using a paint/varnish stripper and made good the joinery and dings, I've sanded to 240 grit.

My thoughts are the wood is dyed darker with an oil based wood dye? Then finished, but finished with what? A lacquer, a varnish, French polish?
Am I on the right track here with my thoughts?

This is the naked wood that needs refinishing, ideally to a similar colour and finish as the original. It has a red hue

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I'd be much obliged if someone could give me a few pointers and thoughts on the above.
 

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I had furniture with that "easy chip" lacquer finish. I stripped it off - horrid job and then used spirit stain to get the colour I wanted the followed up with Sam maloof's mix that has become called Mikes Magic Mix - recipes here
www.thewoodhaven2.co.uk

Was Sam Maloof finish - now added Mike's Magic Mix

I have copied this from Bob's post. viewtopic.php?f=26&t=2613 That mixture has been long known as an "oil/varnish" mixture. It was probably first publicized in the 1960's when Watco came out with their then "magic" finish. Here is something I found that sort of summarizes the whole "Maloof...
www.thewoodhaven2.co.uk www.thewoodhaven2.co.uk
 
9fingers said:
I had furniture with that "easy chip" lacquer finish. I stripped it off - horrid job and then used spirit stain to get the colour I wanted the followed up with Sam maloof's mix that has become called Mikes Magic Mix - recipes here
www.thewoodhaven2.co.uk

Was Sam Maloof finish - now added Mike's Magic Mix

I have copied this from Bob's post. viewtopic.php?f=26&t=2613 That mixture has been long known as an "oil/varnish" mixture. It was probably first publicized in the 1960's when Watco came out with their then "magic" finish. Here is something I found that sort of summarizes the whole "Maloof...
www.thewoodhaven2.co.uk www.thewoodhaven2.co.uk
Click to expand...
I think you had me at "Mikes Magic Mix"! 😂

I've had a good read through and will give this a whirl. I hope I didn't come across as lazy and couldn't be bothered to do research. I did, but it was a minefield of contradicting info... I trust you gents and will put a completed photo up when done.

Best

S.
 
Hi all, I am looking for some advice on the same topic, and joined the forum for the purpose whilst based in the tropics (sri lanka). I have done a little carpentry and carving, but am really, a total novice. However I am helped by a local carpenter who's very skilled.

Having brought the chairs back to the wood, replaced missing and broken bits, and having replaced nails and screws, that had been used in previous repairs, the chair are now in great shape. After sanding a with 1000grain paper we applied some mineral oil (skydd from Ikea) and polished it with 2000 grain paper followed by a coating with a bee wax based polish. Unfortunately, the wood gets covered by a very fine white mold in 3-4 days. Its probably due to the very high humidity, but how do I resolve the issue? Any pointers would be great!! Thanks
 
This is one of the chairs and a table that a made from scratch, which also suffers the same fate!
 

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Ok thanks. So wax is out? Any tips on how we can get as close to the feel of the finished wood without an intruding protective coating? I am finishing ultra hard woods! Thanks
 
9fingers said:
Apply Mike’s Magic Mix* made with satin finish PU with several thinned coats for a fully sealed, low build finish.
* Search this forum for recipes.
Click to expand...

Great! I may have some challenges finding the 2 oils for recipe 1, but we shall give it a try. Thanks for the Sam Maloof finish // Mike's Magic Mix pointer.
I will keep you posted.
 
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