I’ve taken a detour in the lounge and entryway refresh that I hadn’t deliberate on, and I had even stated outright that I didn’t need to do. However ultimately, I blame this on y’all. 😀 I used to be absolutely ready to color the console desk within the entryway, however I had stated explicitly that I didn’t need to refinish it. The entire thing is waxed, so with the intention to refinish it with stain, that meant that I’d need to strip it and redo it. And that leads me to a different drawback. I constructed this factor out of low cost pine, and I typically don’t just like the look of stained pine. That’s why it’s waxed within the first place.
However then my thought of portray it was just about overruled by the feedback suggesting that I depart it a pure wooden end. I used to be ready to try this at first, however the extra I checked out it, the extra I hated this splotchy orange end.
After which I remembered that after I refinished the piano in our music room, the wooden on that piano wasn’t all the identical shade as soon as I had all the items stripped. However the stain that I used on it, which was a wiping stain as a substitute of a penetrating stain, did an outstanding job at making the entire thing look one cohesive shade. I couldn’t bear in mind the identify of the model, however I knew I received it at my native Benjamin Moore retailer.
So on Friday afternoon, I headed to Benjamin Moore to see in the event that they thought that stain would work on my beforehand waxed console desk. And in the course of the course of our dialog, the person who was serving to me (and who appeared to have lots of expertise with staining) beneficial that I exploit a gel stain as a substitute of a wiping stain.
I’ve used gel stain earlier than, and I completely hated it. I used no matter model they promote at Dwelling Depot, and I bear in mind it drying too shortly, getting sticky too shortly, all of my brush strokes displaying, and the colour being method too darkish wherever my brush strokes would overlap. After that have, I swore off of gel stain years in the past and haven’t tried it since.
However he was recommending Outdated Masters gel stain, which is identical model of wiping stain that I had used on the piano with such nice success. He additionally gave me some nice suggestions, like utilizing just a bit little bit of Penetrol within the gel stain to maintain it from drying too shortly. So I made a decision to provide gel stain one other attempt. That is what I left the shop with.
He prompt that I wipe the entire thing down with acetone to take away any extra wax, however after all, I used to be too anxious to check out the gel stain that I skipped that step. (I’m not the perfect at being affected person and following directions.) So I attempted out the gel stain on the tip of the console desk. I wasn’t thrilled with it, however I figured that I simply wanted apply. What I did love is that this product is completely totally different from the gel stain I used years in the past. It stays very workable for a very long time. No fast drying. No stickiness. It’s very straightforward to make use of.
After which I made a decision to attempt it out on a drawer entrance. It positively toned down the orange, however I didn’t need to put it on too thick as a result of I don’t need the colour too darkish, so the splotchiness from the unique end was nonetheless displaying by way of.
At this level, I used to be doubting my choice and reconsidering the thought of portray the entire thing, which I’m nonetheless not ruling out utterly. Right here’s a comparability of the drawer (lacking its trim) with the unique end, and the drawer with the gel stain. The gel stained drawer is healthier, nevertheless it’s nonetheless not what I need.
So I made a decision to place the stain apart for a bit whereas I take into consideration my choices, and transfer on to the opposite change I needed to make to the console desk (additionally based mostly in your ideas). I eliminated the underside shelf. However due to the way in which I constructed the piece, now I’m left with legs in two items. I’m undecided if I’m going to attempt to restore these, or if I’m going to interchange them altogether.
Mainly, I’m making this up as I am going alongside. I’ve my doubts that 4 turned wooden legs on their very own might be robust and secure sufficient to carry the burden of the console with the drawers, so I’d attempt to design a completely new base that has extra help.
Like I stated, I’m making it up as I am going alongside. However I do suppose I’ll prefer it a lot better with out the underside shelf. And since I don’t just like the gel stain on high of the unique orange, splotchy end, I’m going to go forward and paint the entire thing in a lightweight brown shade that doesn’t have any orange in it, after which I’m going to attempt the gel stain over the brand new shade to see if I can create a stained wooden look that method.
I don’t know if that is going to work out, however I’m going to attempt. If all else fails, I can at all times return to the thought of portray the entire thing. However in case you have any expertise in utilizing gel stain over a painted end to create the look of stained wooden, I’d love to listen to your suggestions! I’m going to provide it a attempt, but when this doesn’t work, I’ll be swearing off of gel stain perpetually.
UPDATE: As an alternative of turned wooden legs, I’m occupied with doing a quite simple base with straight legs that may permit me so as to add help between the legs on the perimeters and the again. It will look one thing like this.
Extra About Our Entryway
Addicted 2 Adorning is the place I share my DIY and adorning journey as I transform and beautify the 1948 fixer higher that my husband, Matt, and I purchased in 2013. Matt has M.S. and is unable to do bodily work, so I do the vast majority of the work on the home on my own. You possibly can study extra about me right here.
