Re: [VAC] wood stains

["asbestos" <hazgen@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Having worked in the antiques business  for about 5 years. (and along  the
way have found many ways to ruin old furniture) I can probably give you
enough information on your cabinets to get you in trouble.
Bleach is a wonderful and _dangerous_ thing. It is best used as a spot
treatment for black mildew stains, which it really does not work that well
on, but nothing else does either. Washed out areas are probably a result of
water stripping away the oil and the stain.  SANDPAPER is NOT recommended
"He who uses sandpaper on veneer walks where angels fear to tread"
try  00 or even better 0000 steel wool, or a variety of the 3M scrubby pads
(they go from course to mild) Try scrubbing (gently at first) with an oil
stain (minwax) use the stuff on top not the pigment down on the bottom,
(except if you need a little bit)  buy a shade a bit darker then you think
you need.( or buy a few shades and blend them up like a fine Scotch) Dip the
pad into the stain and scrub lightly, if you scrub hard you will remove the
finish and have a light spot, get the whole surface, not just the problem
areas keep wiping with a rag to check the results as you go. Careful use of
oil stain can restore 90+  % of wood I ever encountered. -You want to add to
the damaged areas of the finish, not strip then away.-
-always easier to tell someone else how to do it then to do it yourself
Ron