[Bob Andersen]

Thanks! The old finish was already flaking badly so I just scraped it off with a razor blade.
[Image: http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8250/86412...cf53_c.jpg]

The body of the cabinet has some nasty stains. I applied bleach over several hours which did a pretty good job.

[Image: http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8255/86411...ab4d_z.jpg] [Image: http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8402/86411...785e_z.jpg]

[Image: http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8379/86400...233f_c.jpg]

[Radioroslyn]

Boy that did clean up really nice!!
Terry

[Arran]

What sort of bleach did you use, was it just the common sodium hypochlorate bleach like you find under the kitchen sink? I've found that you can get rid of the black stains in some woods with phosphoric acid, which leads me to think that they are iron stains.
Regards
Arran

[Bob Andersen]

Just common bleach. I think it was water stains and mildew on this cabinet.

[Bob Andersen]

Time for grain filler. I used Constantines thinned a little with mineral spirits. After it dried to a haze, I scraped off the excess with a credit card.

It's a bit too light in the middle of the top from the bleaching. I hope to blend that out with toner.
[Image: http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8536/86437...ef8a_c.jpg]

[Image: http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8245/86426...781b_c.jpg]

[Chicago Jimmy]

Bob...it's getting there. Nice work!

[Bob Andersen]

Thanks. I just sprayed on some sanding sealing and a few coats of Medium Brown Walnut toner lacquer.

I thought it looked pretty good, but now that I've compared it to the original photos I think it's a little too light
[Image: http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8254/86525...e798_c.jpg]

[Arran]

I thought that they may have used something close to extra dark walnut toner like the 1936 Philco tombstones used, it looks like they used a similar junk wood for the top and sides of the cabinet. Maybe it was perfect brown toner?
Regards
Arran

[Bob Andersen]

The traces of original finish left weren't quite so dark or opaque as my mid-30s tombstones. I do have some dye based extra dark walnut lacquer though and I'll give it a try tomorrow.

[Radioroslyn]

Starting to look pretty super there Dynamo Bob!!!
GREAT JOB!!
Terry

[Bob Andersen]

Thanks Terry and good call Arran. The extra dark walnut looks much better It's a rich, dark brown and you can still see hints of the grain. That just leaves the trim.
[Image: http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8122/86560...9927_c.jpg]

[Chicago Jimmy]

WOW...That's looking great! Can't wait to see it done.

[klondike98]

wow! very nice

[Bob Andersen]

I wrapped up the toner and put on a couple coats of clear gloss this afternoon. I knew I was taking a chance because of the high humidity levels, but I really wanted to get it done.
Luckily, just a minimal amount of blushing in the clear coat that I expect will sand out.
[Image: http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8265/86618...9143_c.jpg]

The scar where I repaired the split is barely visible in very bright light.
[Image: http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8241/86607...658a_c.jpg]

I'll let it cure for a week or two, then sand with 600 grit and spray on a couple more coats.
If I had to do it again, I would have gone a little bit lighter on the body. Maybe one or two less coats of the extra dark walnut.
[Image: http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8246/86607...3a8c_c.jpg]

[Ron Ramirez]

WOW

Bob, do you have any Mohawk No Blush Plus? It's great for getting rid of the blushing. Just spray a little on the area where the lacquer has blushed, and the blushing magically disappears!