need refinishing wood help

[lc]

Hi Guys

I am refinishing an old organ I have that has burled walnut...I didn't realize the burl was fake nor did I know it could be.   

Yes I stripped it off ... Groan !!!  Can you help me  ?  how do they do fake burl ? should I maybe just get some burl vaneer ?

I just started with the top so the rest of the organ is still unstripped. What and how do you clean up fake burl ?
Much help is apreciated.
The organ is walnut with burl panels
Thanks

[byhammerandhand]

Yes, that's a nasty surprise.   Some of these, also on grandfather clocks, have figured grain literally printed on them.

I had a dresser a few years ago where the drawer fronts were printed on and when I stripped them, I ended up with stark white poplar  :o   Being rather small, I veneered on some pieces of the same species that were being fauxed (is that a word?)

I had a decorative painting class a few years ago, and we learned a number of techniques.   There is also a local, well-known, furniture (and now kitchen cabinet) builder that does a lot of decorative / faux finishes.   If you can get your hands on Nick Engler's book, http://www.amazon.com/American-Country-Furniture-Projects-Workshop/dp/0875969526/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1357768960&sr=8-2&keywords=workshops+of+david+t+smith"; .  About the last fourth of the book covers finish techniques that DTS uses.    I have a painting that I bought from him and it uses a "rag rolled" technique to simulate curly maple.  

You may be able to faux the burl by:
- Applying a base dye to the wood
- Sealing it with a coat or two of finish
- Applying a glaze using decorative painting techniques (sponge, rag-rolling, saran wrap, etc.)
- Sealing with a coat of finish
- Repeating the above two steps as needed

[MinUph]

Not to sound negative but copying a pattern like your taking about would take some serious professional with much experience in the faux field. If this is a top notch job leave the faux to someone that has experience. The cost might well be worth it.

[lc]

I will look for that book thanks Keith . I looked online and videos are vague . They say the term faux is french for fake. I guess it's just a fancier way to say it.

I do artwork paintings and such but I am unsure of this technique .
I may do a few practices to see if I can mimic it ., if not I'll find someone who knows it well . I would like to bring it back to it's original state .

It's my organ , at least it isn't a customers ...whew !! 
Another question ...the keys are chipped ., if I want to restore it should I be trying to find the same origional keys from another organ thats in better shape ? or is it just as well to order new keys.
I'm not too familiar with total restoration guidelines

[Mojo]

Just as an addition to this.

I will be renovating our coach and it can be hell trying to match the factory stain. I didn't know this service was available at Sherwin Williams but they will do a stain match for you for free ( as long as you buy the stain they mix of course ).

You have to provide them with an unstained piece of wood your working with as well as a piece of the stained wood your trying to match. They will then go through the process of mixing to get the exact match. They can then provide you with the stain and formula for future use.

I cannot begin to remember the countless hours I spent trying to match stain colors for a project. Wished I would have known this back then. I will be using this service soon when I start doing work on our coach.

Chris

[lc]

Thanks Chris

That takes a lot of guess work out of things . Especially matching properly

[zanepurcell]

Murphy oil soap is good, diluted in warm water to simply clean grime and reveal the original faux finish. try it in a small area first, its inexpensive.
Zane

[lc]

Murphys oil  ..I will try it ..the tricky part is stripping the wood around the panels ., it's all raised alligator looking...therefore  trying to protect these areas could be a challange

[byhammerandhand]

Your other option is to just forget the burl and finish it in its ordinary grain.

[lc]

Thats what my husband said . I like the burl look . I'll see how it goes though , I may change my mind thought once I strip the rest of it.   Lots of work ahead yet.