Bugger, that's not what I wanted - Stain removal help

[chode]

Hi all,

This might be more appropriate in the restoration section but anyway...

Can anyone recommend the best way to remove a fresh first coat of Sikkens Cetol HLSe from Red Cedar? I've applied it (Mahogany stain) to a set of expensive french doors but on reflection it's not right and I would like a more chocolate brown finish rather than the red hues you get with the mahogany.

How painful is this going to be? I still have a set of 5 (10 light) bifolds to do and these doors will be next to each other so I want to make sure this one is done correctly before moving onto those.

Kind regards

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[Skew ChiDAMN!!]

Got some scrap offcuts of the same timber?

I'd suggest finishing them in the same way, to give you something to experiment on.

Red hues as a base aren't incompatible with chocolate brown; I've done similar to add a 'glow' to walnut, for example, usually when I'm using a light- or gold coloured timber to start off with.

So, you may be able to get a colour you're happier with by using a coat or two of darker finish over the top of the existing one. That'd save you the pain of trying to sand this one back to fresh wood at least... although it would mean you'd need to apply a first coat of the same Mahogany to all the others as well.

But try it on scrap first, OK?

[ian]

Red hues as a base aren't incompatible with chocolate brown; I've done similar to add a 'glow' to walnut, for example, usually when I'm using a light- or gold coloured timber to start off with.

So, you may be able to get a colour you're happier with by using a coat or two of darker finish over the top of the existing one. That'd save you the pain of trying to sand this one back to fresh wood at least... although it would mean you'd need to apply a first coat of the same Mahogany to all the others as well.

The stain is described as penetrating and it's gone onto Western Red Cedar.
Short of sanding 1-2 mm off each face and edge I don't think you have a hope of removing what you have already put on.


keep detailed notes and experiment on your first door.
You will likely need to repeat the steps on the other 5 doors.

[auscab]

I dont know what base that type of stain is but a clean white rag soaked with metho and try a test to see what comes off and back onto the rag . Then thinners , then Turps . Thats a few easy ways tried . If none of those work then sanding may have to be the way .

Like Skew said. Unless going darker is an option . Then you would be looking for a stain that is Black . Black with green added is better . To add over the top . This will kill the red off and get you closer to what you need. Test first of course.

Buying pre mixed colours for this isnt the best way to do it but you may be lucky and find something.

I keep a supply of dry powder spirit stains . Earth ocher colours and cans of pre mixed commercial colours for use or the mixing up of spirit, water or turps based colours for such adjustments .

Rob