Lift out old stain?

[eleny]

I have an old 1940s desk with a red mahogany finish. In one area of the top there was some grime. I cleaned that off with a wood cleaner and it wore off the red mahogany stain and left the wood a soft golden color in that spot. I suppose that the grime got meshed with the stain.

I'd like to get the whole desk like that if it's possible since the golden area is very pretty. Is there any way to lift out the old stain without sanding?

[troubleinwinter]

1. A little confused...

You would like the entire piece to be the lighter golden color? Or you want to return the spot to red mohogany?

If looking for the lighter color (often the old finishes have darkened over the years), you may consider a "refinisher".

I have an old piece that was originally stained deep red mohogany, but had become dark, nearly black and crackled.

I used a "refinisher" similar to Formby's. It basically disolves the old finish, but does not strip it or raise the grain (which is not good for the wood). It takes heaps and tons of very fine steel wool to apply & move it around, and get rid of old excess, but isn't a lot of work like sanding or stripping. Must do outdoors because of fumes... not caustic like stripper lye.

The results just were beautiful. Did not entirely remove the original finish, just sorta melted, thinned it and moved it around on the surface, with some excess wiped away, and lightened the color of the old oxidized finish.

The piece (an old dark dresser) was so beautiful, I dared to do it to two prized old family glass fronted bookcases. Glorious.

I kinda suspect it isn't much more than lacquer thinner. Formby's is famous and expensive (it takes quite a bit, as you keep applying, wiping with extremely fine steel wool & tossing the gunk). I found a product that was the same, but cheaper. Find a "refinisher" product, not a stripper.

Formby's claims this:

Formby's® Conditioning Furniture Refinisher is specially formulated to gently dissolve old varnish, lacquer and shellac without chemicals that may harm wood. It renews the wood's natural beauty without the need for sanding and scraping. The rich wood patina of antiques and furniture is enhanced while leaving the wood conditioned. Built-in conditioners rich in natural oils penetrate deep into the wood to protect it against drying and cracking. Simply wipe it on and wipe away the old finish. Then a light buffing is all that's needed to prepare the surface for an application of protective finish.

Well, NO, it is not a "Simply wipe it on and wipe away the old finish" deal!!!! It's a "do out on the driveway and get dirty" deal. But not at all like stripping, and the furniture finish is never entirely removed, just melted with extraneous aged color gone.

If ya love that 1940s desk, go fer it. I was so impressed by the results f a 1900 dresser, I did my prized Craftsman oak book cabinets. No fake finishes.

[eleny]

2. Sounds like I need to find a product like you used

My folks had a lot of the '40s mahogany and had their dining chairs done. They were brought down to the loveliest warm brown. If I get the desk away from the reddish color popular in the '40s, I'd be delighted. Thanks for your reply!

[troubleinwinter]

3. Here are a few:

Minwax (Ace Hardware sells it)

Zinsser http://www.rustoleum.com/CBGProduct.asp?pid=236

Formby's (Minwax bought the Formby's name)

[eleny]

4. How great - thanks!

We have an Ace around the corner and a Lowes very close, too.