Danish oil disaster! Any suggestions?

[Back2Two]

I've got a lovely g plan astro coffee table.
I just had it stripped, I sanded it and used danish oil that I had used previously on a table. I've only done one application so far and was planning on three.

I think, because the wood was bare, the effect was very different and it's too dark.

What can I do to lighten it a little (and slightly orangey it up) AND how do I get a nice sheen/shine finish please?

[Back2Two]

.

[calendula]

It is not going to get any better unless you sand off the Danish oil and start again.

Osmo do a "Natural" oil which is looks slightly white before you put it on, so that the colour of the wood is essentially the same after you have put the oil on. Beautiful matt Sheen.

www.osmouk.com/previewpage.cfm?bookid=book001&chapter=57&page=124

[calendula]

You can get the Danish oil off with Liberon wax and polish remover. It works well. You need to use 00 or 000 grade wire wool with the product. Once the oil has been removed, you need to let the wood dry for a day or so before re-oiling

www.liberon.co.uk/repair-and-prepare/wax-polish-remover,434,464.html?&args=Y29tcF9pZD0zMDQmYWN0aW9uPWZpY2hlUHJvZHVpdCZpZD0zMTgmfA%3D%3D

[Back2Two]

Thanks for answering calendula! I better get my gloves on then!

[PigletJohn]

Was the oil you used tinted?

[Back2Two]

Yes piglet it was....

[PigletJohn]

ah....

[PigletJohn]

if you want it more orangey, you can use Colron wood dye before oiling it. Red Cedar might suit you. Try it on an unseen surface first.

Dyes and oils will tend to darken it. If you wipe it with water you will get an idea of how it will look when oiled.

If it is a veneered surface it will withstand very little abrasion.

[GillTheGiraffe]

A G Plan Astro coffee table is made from solid teak. It's also something that will appreciate in value.

Get it wrong and it will look very wrong indeed, as it's such an iconic piece.

I'd take it to a Fench polisher.

I sold mine last year because I couldn't bear to see visitors / children leaving hot coffee cups on the wooden surround. It was ruining the table. It's now gone to a better home

[Back2Two]

Thanks everyone. I ballsed it up.
I'm not sure where to start with trying to sort it out but you've given me good advice...thanks.

In an attempt not to mess up another job....I also have 4 ercol chairs that I have had stripped. Anyone know the best thing to do with them?

[PigletJohn]

Diamond satin varnish?

I always prefer to use a clear finish, and to use Colron to dye the wood first if necessary.

Tinted finishes obscure the grain, and get darker with subsequent coats.

[GillTheGiraffe]

Are the Ercol chairs teak or iroko or some other wood?.

Looking at Ercol's webiste it says (for the Windsor teak range)

The timber of all the pieces in the Windsor range is enhanced by the use of our water borne lacquers which bring out the qualities of the grain in your choice of one of our different finishes to compliment your style and decor.

Nathan (teak) website says their teak is naturally coloured - hence colour variations.

Looking at my own G Plan, Nathan and Ercol teak furniture you can clearly see the grain. If the wood has been varnished at all, it's been done with a very light satin finish. Even the bare unvarnished wood is quite dark. You could test a few varnish options in the areas that are not usually visible.

Wetting a finger and seeing what the bare wood looks like wet can also give you an idea as to whether it needs wood dye.

Seriously, if I wanted a really good finish I would contact a French polisher.