Coloring a chair already finished

  • October 23, 2021 12:08 PM
    Message # 11817898

    Hi

    I'm looking to find out how to change the color of a chair my wife picked up. It already has a finish (poly) on it, so I don't think staining is an option.

    I've attached a picture. We want to darken it to the color of the chair on the left.

    All suggestions are welcome.

    Thanks

    Ed

    1 file
  • October 24, 2021 6:32 AM
    Reply # 11855322 on 11817898

    My go to finish on most furniture is briwax which comes in many colors. Of course I’d test it out on the underside of the seat before using throughout. Also since it is a wax finish the color is not necessarily uniform but is something that adds depth to the piece.

  • October 25, 2021 12:42 AM
    Reply # 11892302 on 11817898
    the colored wax is a pretty good route for final tone adjustments,  however that much of a color shift is tough. If you just want to make it not stand out of the set it might do it. 

    Id try tinting some shelllac, or  toners. Make sure to  do good surface prep


  • October 26, 2021 9:21 AM
    Reply # 11959624 on 11817898
    Tim Holiner (Administrator)

    I haven't used it myself, but I have seen articles about using "Glaze" to color finished furniture. I had a piece of Stickley furniture that needed repair and the repairman used glaze as one of the components and it matched perfectly.

  • October 27, 2021 8:50 AM
    Reply # 12013247 on 11817898

    I just used glaze to color correct an old bench.  It worked very well. The top coat came out a little more glossy than I wanted but a little steel wool fixed that.

  • October 28, 2021 7:23 PM
    Reply # 12081056 on 11817898

    Thanks all!

    I'll see what colors are available for the glaze and shelllac and see what will come closest. .

    Thanks again

    Ed

  • October 29, 2021 10:15 AM
    Reply # 12081982 on 11817898

    I'd go with Dana's suggestion of  dye.  TransTint Golden Brown looks pretty close to what you want, and you can make it as dark as you want by just adding more dye to the finish, a few drops at a time until it matches the color.   But being a chair, I'd use a urethane rather than shellac for durability.

    My preference would be the original Enduro_Var Gloss which is a clear finish.  The new Enduro_Var Two has an amber tint.  Mix a small batch adding the dye until the shade is right. Gloss has no particle material to dull the shine so doesn't need to be stirred.   When cured, some steel wool will tone down the gloss to your preference.   



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