Silky Oak Wardrobe Restoration Question

[Earthling#44-9a]

I have this wardrobe that needs attention. It needs sanding back, however, I notice when sanding how light the wood becomes. I varnished a small section to see what colour it became and its definetly a lot lighter than the non-varnished area.
I dont know much about Silky oak and my question is...has the wardrobe been stained or had a varnish with pigment added? Or does the wood naturally darken with age...and if so how many ages?
Thoughts silky oak folk?

1 Photo: Wardrobe
2 Photo: Colour of normal good wood
3 Photo: Roughly sanded and varnished spot.

[DJ’s Timber]

That cupboard looks like one that has darkened naturally from age to me

[Chipman]

I have done a bit with SO

Part of the problem is that there are different varieties of SO eg Northern (Cardwellia sublimis) which tends to be darker, Southern (Grevillea robusta) which is a lighter fawn-pink colour plus about 30 other varieties (mainly grevilleas).
I had to match some new light SO with 1930's SO that was more red and brown (even after sanding). I used a stain and got a pretty good match. (Cabots oil based rose mahogany)

Like most woods,it does darken with age but not sure how long.


Chipman

[Earthling#44-9a]

Mmmmm...to stain or to rub it all back.......will see how it pans out tomorrow morn...

[toolbagsPLUS]

Mmmmm...to stain or to rub it all back.......will see how it pans out tomorrow morn...

Forget sanding my bet is that it has been finished with shellac. That comes off easily with metho and steel wool #1 OR #2. when re coated with new flake shellac has a yellow tinge to it and will give you a closer color. The darker finish is from the old shellac yellowing.


Cheers


Steve

[silky oak man]

Most times,I (you) can wash it with 50-50 turps and linseed oil,and they come up very nice, try it some time

[Earthling#44-9a]

Most times,I (you) can wash it with 50-50 turps and linseed oil,and they come up very nice, try it some time

Good idea. I dont have any linseed so I did the ol equal parts turps, varnish and wood oil, with a good rub off after. I ended up using this on the sanded areas and the 'inner' areas of the outside not sanded. Worked a treat and fixed many a fault. Thanks. Gone from a $50 bargain to a $500 nice piece.

[Chipman]

Good idea. I dont have any linseed so I did the ol equal parts turps, varnish and wood oil, with a good rub off after. I ended up using this on the sanded areas and the 'inner' areas of the outside not sanded. Worked a treat and fixed many a fault. Thanks. Gone from a $50 bargain to a $500 nice piece.

That looks really great.... Rjuvinated finish is always better than sanding and refinishing (that always reduces its appeal and value) I had to stain and use poly urethane on my job as I had to match new construction with old.

Cheers,

Chipman

[silky oak man]

as a old mate said to me once , your not trying to make it new, you want it to last another 50 years,and still look good and old