I've been restoring antique radios as a hobby for a number of years, and have had reasonably good success using Minwax stains and coatings. But one problem that has always bugged me is the inability to match the depth of the original color. On most cabinets from the 40s and earlier, the coloring is in the finish itself - the wood itself is not stained at all. A fellow radio enthusiast has told me that Mohawk toners are what the professionals use to replicate the original deep, rich color. I'm considering ordering some of these but first, I'd like some advice. First of all, which kind? There are pigment-based and dye-based, and perhaps others just from Mohawk alone. Second, is the toner spray enough to produce the desired effect, or should the wood also be stained prior to toning? And finally, is there a better way to make a thick, rich-looking top coat other than applying 6-8 coats of conventional finish? This is obviously going to take some practice so I could use any advice I can get.
- posted
17 years ago