how do you restore the finish of wainscoting?

We are buying a brownstone with tons of original wainscoting.  Its dry and fading.  How do you restore the finish properly?

brooklion

in Painters, Strippers and Stainers 12 years and 8 months ago

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SewardWasRight | 12 years and 8 months ago

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What if the woodwork has a nice thick coating of shellac already and you just want to shine it up? Is there a recommended product for that? Thanks, SWR

stevecym | 12 years and 8 months ago

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this depends on what the finish is made of and how it looks and what you want it too look like.  You say dry and fading.   without exception, you can put a paste wax over any finish and it will give it a little life.  But I suspect more it wrong with the finish.  Some people here have mentioned using brand name products which I have not used, so I do not know how they will work.  Another approach may be to lightly sand the surface (which may not work so well with shellac) to remove any failed or deteriorating finish and even anything which may have settled on the finish such as cigar smoke and then trying applying some wax.  I think Bob said trying so alcohol which will react with the shellac – that is ok if you want to remove it – you may remove it and you may not.  But alcohol cuts with water so you can reduce it and maybe take an abrasive pad (white) and rinse it in the alcohol water solution and lightly scrub down the shellac.  I would not work the solution to long lest it soften the shellac too much and you push dirt and other matter into the shellac (this happens a lot when people attempt to repair finishes and then they call us).  Do not use steel wool.  when you have it cleaned, it will be dull.  New shellac can go over old shellac.  You can dye the new shellac or you can put it on straight.  You can reduce it if it is too heavy. what I have just said applies to shellac.  if it is a varnish, I would try a light sanding (320 grit) and tack it off and apply a coat of wax. Someone you can talk to and buy product from is Charlie Hoey at Abbot Paint on Eagle St.  they have the products needed to work with old wood though they may not have the premixed consumer products (they are a to the trade supplier). Steve http://brownstoner.staging.wpengine.com/tinkerswagon

brokelin | 12 years and 8 months ago

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Howard’s Restore a Finish is great stuff – have used it with good results. It has smelly, bad for you fumes (like many things that work well), so is best to be used in an well-ventilated place (which I was not able to, the woodwork being in a center room of a long floor-thru).  While my brain cells may have deteriorated, the wood looked great.

mesav | 12 years and 8 months ago

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Two words; Method Restoration. I recently hired them to restore extremely deteriorated wood. The craftsmanship was exceptional and the service blew me away. Deadlines were met on schedule and I didn’t have to lift a finger to clean up…flawless. I hired them because they focus on quality and the owner; Peter knows what he is doing especially with fine woodwork. Good Luck!

BobMarvin | 12 years and 8 months ago

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It all depends on how badly the finish is deteriorated. I’d suggest starting with something like Scott’s Liquid Gold in a small section. Very likely that will be enough. If not, the next step would be something like Howard’s Restore a Finish, in an appropriate color. If neither of these work you might have to strip and refinish the wood. If so try some alcohol solvent first. If the finish is shallac that will remove it RELATIVELY easily; if not, you’ll need to use paint remover–a MUCH messier job.   IMO it’s better, and much easier, to try saving the original finish with something like the first two products I mentioned.