RehabFAQs

how to unify old and new woodwork in house rehab

by Prof. Yolanda Kirlin Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago

How to refinish woodwork?

Jun 14, 2000 · One thing you can do is use your old stuff in one part of your house and use new stuff in the other parts. Doors, for instance, can be difficult to …

How do you prepare a house for rehab?

Shoe Shiner. Decor Fixins. Open a tin of shoe polish to seal in scratches and polish your floors or furniture. These come in a variety of shades that could make your repair work totally inconspicuous. Follow Décor Fixins’ simple instructions.

How do you renew woodwork and baseboards?

Lightly sand the woodwork. I believe I used 120 grit for this. For most of the wood, this is just a once or twice over with the sanding pad. You might have spots (say, where someone carved their initials in the trim or a dog did some chewing) where you want to sand noticeable imperfections out. Do that now. Then, wipe down any sand dust with a damp rag.

Can I make my old house look new again?

Thomas rubs the stripped wood with fine steel wool and denatured alcohol to dissolve any shellac residue.Then, after a thorough vacuuming, he applies a coat of de-waxed shellac—sold in cans as Seal Cote—which is compatible with most finishes.

How do you restore old woodwork?

Trim Repair: How to Fix and Revive TrimStep 1: Start with a thorough cleaning. Photo 1: Remove old paint spots. ... Step 2: Scrape and sand badly damaged areas. Photo 2: Scrape eroded areas. ... Step 3: Roughen the finish and fill small holes. ... Step 4: Apply stain to hide dings and scratches. ... Step 5: Apply the fresh finish.Jun 19, 2019

How can I make old trim look better?

0:140:58How Do I Restore Wood Trim? : Woodworking Tips - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd cover the scratches. Completely it's very easy.MoreAnd cover the scratches. Completely it's very easy.

How to strip and refinish woodwork?

STEP 1: Protect yourself and the room, and ensure adequate ventilation. ... STEP 2: Brush a paint stripper onto the molding. ... STEP 3: Scrape away the softened paint. ... STEP 4: Sand the molding in the direction of the grain. ... STEP 5: Bleach the wood molding if you plan to stain it next.Oct 13, 2020

How do you sand and refinish wood trim?

0:274:28Staining & Re-lacquering Interior Woodwork. Using Wood Stains.YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd just needs to be refreshed lightly sanded and restained and recoated.MoreAnd just needs to be refreshed lightly sanded and restained and recoated.

Should you paint wood trim?

We also recommend that trim is painted with a high gloss sheen because it's more durable and will withstand heavier wear and tear. We also strongly recommend that trim be painted by a professional. Precision and plenty coats of paint is key to making painted wood trim look beautiful and like it was always painted.Oct 26, 2015

How do you make weathered wood look new again?

0:502:16How to Restore Severely Weathered Wood with RESTORE - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou can apply restore with a pump sprayer roller or a brush. I'm using a pump sprayer here to coverMoreYou can apply restore with a pump sprayer roller or a brush. I'm using a pump sprayer here to cover more area quickly and it'll make my job a lot easier especially along the deck rail.

What is the best thing to use to clean woodwork?

CleaningMix up a spray bottle of distilled white vinegar and a drop (only one) of dish soap. ... You can also use a steam cleaner with a pointed nozzle attachment to get into the corners and indents of the wood. ... An eraser sponge works well on very smooth surfaces to remove buildup as well as stains.More items...•Jan 31, 2017

How do you make old baseboards look new?

Get rid of baseboard scuffs and stains by sprinkling the marred surfaces with baking soda and scrubbing the affected space with a dampened sponge. Rinse off the baking soda with a clean, wet sponge, drying the area with a soft cloth.

What is TSP for wood?

trisodium phosphateTSP (trisodium phosphate), is a robust cleaning option that not only helps the stain stick to hardwood better, but it also removes grease, stubborn junk, and mildew from both painted and unpainted wood. When it comes to your wood flooring, you want the best clean. Here's how to properly clean your wood floors with TSP.Jan 10, 2018

Can you stain wood trim without sanding?

You can paint over stained wood, painted wood and so much more with this simple method. Through the years, I have received the questions “can wood be painted without sanding”, “can cabinets be painted without sanding”, and “can trim be painted without sanding”? The answer is YES!

How do you redo trim in a house?

1:353:13Trim & Molding : How to Replace Floor Trim - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipNow take your old piece of trim and go cut your new piece of trim to the same length if you have aMoreNow take your old piece of trim and go cut your new piece of trim to the same length if you have a good fit if you do not take a tape measure measure the length and cut your new piece of trim.

What happens if you stain over stain?

Staining on top of older stain is perfectly fine. You will need to understand your specific project and plan before you begin but staining on top of old stain is fairly simple. As we mentioned earlier, staining on top of old stain works best if you want a darker stain.Feb 9, 2022

1. Tape Off

I suppose this step could be optional, but I’m sort of the messy type when it comes to projects. I taped the perimeter of the door frame, sticking the tape to the wall. Invest in some good quality painter’s tape, so you don’t have the problem I had (where the paint from the wall came off with the tape and now I have to go back and repaint it).

2. Clean

Next, give the trim a good ol’ scrubbing. I used water, soap, and a splash of denatured alcohol. I also used vinegar in a spray bottle and spritzed that onto the doors before scrubbing with my bristle brush or sponge. This was a good way to take off the top layer of dirt.

4. Sand

Lightly sand the woodwork. I believe I used 120 grit for this. For most of the wood, this is just a once or twice over with the sanding pad. You might have spots (say, where someone carved their initials in the trim or a dog did some chewing) where you want to sand noticeable imperfections out. Do that now.

5. Stain

You may want to take off any hardware on doors or frames first. I just left mine on, since it’s so dark and tarnished, the stain didn’t really show, and it seemed to wipe off easily anyway.

6. Protect

Once the stain has had time to set (usually 24 hours) you can then use a top, protective coat of polyurethane.

7. Remove Tape and Enjoy the Beautiful, Refinished Woodwork!

It’s a bit of a tedious process– at least more tedious than simply painting over it, which many people do– but I’d say it’s well worth it, if you love the classic, natural wood look. Refinishing the woodwork has really brought my living space up a notch.

Staining Fun

Looking for another wood staining project? Check out this fun Wood Shim Wall Art Tutorial here!

What is the best way to clean shellac?

Thomas rubs the stripped wood with fine steel wool and denatured alcohol to dissolve any shellac residue.Then, after a thorough vacuuming, he applies a coat of de-waxed shellac—sold in cans as Seal Cote—which is compatible with most finishes. He rapidly pads on the finish using a wad of cotton rag wrapped in cheesecloth, replenishing the shellac from a dispenser as needed.

How many glaze coats does Thomas use to stain maple?

The wood gets darker with each coat he applies; in this case, it takes two glaze coats for Thomas to approximate the original mahogany stain.

What is the best tool to remove stripper softened finish from flat panel?

A dull scraper is the best tool for removing stripper-softened finish from flat panels. But when Thomas comes to the tiny curves and crevices around the panels, he reaches for his pull scrapers, dental tools, toothbrushes—anything that can get into the hard-to-reach places.

How long does it take for Thomas to strip paint?

Strip the old finish. Using a wide natural-bristle brush, Thomas paints on a thick coat of commercial stripper, then lets it sit for 10 to 15 minutes, waiting for the surface to turn from glossy to dull. (Dull means the finish underneath has liquefied.) He keeps all the windows open to allow any fumes to escape.

Where is John Thomas' home?

Wood finisher John Thomas is doing just that at the 1904 brownstone in Brooklyn, New York, owned by Karen Shen and Kevin Costello. The couple's home, a TOH TV project, has some glorious ...

What did Ryan and Montana want for their new molding?

They wanted the new moldings to match original finishes in other parts of the house, but there was a problem. “Modern stains were never dark enough,” explains Montana.

What paint did Ryan and Montana use on the living room?

In addition, the living room’s remaining woodwork had received a thick coat of dusty rose paint. Ryan and Montana began the room’s restoration by stripping away the paint and vinyl wallpaper, which uncovered ghosts of the original cornice moldings.

How to make a mahogany wood finish?

1. Dilute water-soluble dye according to the package instructions. Then, use extra pieces of wood to test the proportions and number of coats for your desired finish. (Your test surfaces should match the actual finished surface as closely as possible.) After some experimenting, Ryan and Montana ended up with a 2:1 mix of two different colors, red mahogany and brown mahogany.

What did Ryan and Montana use to stain the woodwork?

Throughout the rest of the living room, they hand-stripped paint from the surviving original wood trim and used Southwick’s method on the surfaces.

When was Ryan Knoke's house built?

As you approach Ryan Knoke and Montana Scheff’s house in Minneapolis—a two-and-a-half-story Colonial Revival designed and built by Minneapolis master builder Barclay Cooper in 1905 —you know you’ve happened ...

Did the cherry woodwork in the 1950s get removed?

Luckily, most of the home’s original cherry woodwork remained intact with its original finish. However, the living room had been “modernized” in the 1950s, and as a result, the room’s ornate moldings—topping the walls, doors, and windows—had been removed.

Who is Kevin Southwick?

So the two went back to the store—and had better luck the second time around. They were introduced to Kevin Southwick, a freelance furniture conservator who teaches wood finishing and answers questions at the store on Saturdays.

How to fix scratches on wood?

Hide scratches, chips and worn away finish with a fresh dose of stain. Then wipe the woodwork with a clean rag to remove the excess stain. Let the stain dry overnight. Completely refinishing the area may be the only way to make flawless repairs to badly damaged doors, windows and moldings.

How to lighten a stain?

You can repeat the process to further lighten the stain. Wipe the bleached wood with a sponge and clear water. Then neutralize the oxalic acid by applying a solution of 3 tablespoons of borax to 1 gallon of water with a sponge. Finally, rinse the bleached wood with water again and let it dry overnight.

How to get rid of a sand stain on a carpet?

Mix the oxalic acid in a plastic container. Add 1 oz. of oxalic acid powder (about 2 tablespoons) to 1 cup of hot water and stir it until the powder dissolves. Then brush the solution onto the stain with a disposable sponge brush and let it work for 20 minutes. You can repeat the process to further lighten the stain.

How to get rid of excess polyurethane on wood?

Fold a cotton rag to create a pad. Then dip an edge of the pad into a container of wipe-on polyurethane and press it against the side to wring out the excess. Wipe the polyurethane onto the wood in long strokes in the direction of the wood grain as you would if you were using a brush.

How do I renew a stained wood baseboard?

The first step in renewing your woodwork and stained baseboards is cleaning it to remove grease and grime and create a contaminant-free surface for the new finish. Wash the woodwork with a TSP substitute.

How do I clean paint off wood trim?

Scrub with a sponge dipped in the cleaning solution. Then rinse with a spo nge and clear water and wipe off the wood with a dry rag. If there’s paint slopped onto the edges of your trim or spattered on the surface, now’s the time to clean it off.

Is it better to wipe on polyurethane or brush on polyurethane?

The final step in your trim renewal project is to apply a fresh coat of finish. Wipe-on polyurethane is a good choice because it’s fast and easy to apply. You simply wipe it on with a soft rag and let it dry.

What is a thermostatic radiator valve?

Thermostatic radiator valves are a great way to zone any radiator and save fuel. Hot-water and two-pipe steam radiators get them on the supply side; one-pipe steam radiators get them between the radiator and the air vent. (Photo: Sylvia Gashi-Silver) 9. Get a great finish.

How to make mortar match?

New mortar should match as closely as possible in color, consistency, and elevation. Using too much Portland cement in the mix creates hard mortars, which can damage old buildings. 3. Never grind out joints. Only deteriorated mortar should be removed. If someone tells you otherwise, run. 4.

Is sandblasting a good finish?

Pros agree that sandblasting followed by powder coating gives the best, long-lasting, non-sticky finish—but don’t try this at home. 10. Don’t worry about fires. Even with steam heat, a radiator gets only about half as hot as the temperature needed to kindle paper, so you can rest easy.

Who is John Leeke?

As an historic building specialist, John Leeke has been helping owners, tradespeople, contractors and architects understand and maintain their historic buildings for 20 years. He has been restoring historic buildings in New England for over 35 years and still spends a good part of his time “with hammer in hand”.

Why are old windows drafty?

Repair don't replace windows -- They are important to the home's historic value. Old windows leak and are drafty because they haven't been properly maintained. Have them repaired and weatherstripped so they're efficient and work. Adding historically accurate storm windows outside can boost efficiency.

Who is the host of rehab addict?

Nicole Curtis, host of HGTV's "Rehab Addict," regularly takes on falling apart old homes -- ones others would have leveled or improved but made worse -- and restores them authentically. Photo courtesy of Nicole Curtis.

Do ceramic tiles work in old houses?

Ceramic tiles work in homes built after 1930. Keep the walls up -- Open floor plans are a trend, but they don't belong in old houses, Curtis said. "After a couple years of living in an open floor plan, people don't want it anymore.".

What should be included in a home inspection?

The home inspection should include the heating system, air-conditioning or HVAC system, interior plumbing, electrical system, the roof, the attic, any visible insulation, walls, ceilings, flooring, windows, doors, foundation, sewer line, and the basement.

What should be included in a checklist?

Include both interior (walls, paint, etc.) and exterior items (e.g. landscaping, gutters, and outside lighting). The checklist should be very detailed and describe everything that needs to be done to the property. The inspection report can be used to generate the checklist.

Why do you need to put flooring in rehab?

The flooring is installed later in the rehab process to avoid getting paint on the floor and to avoid damage from workers going in and out of the house. Because you want your floors to look fresh when you're finished, you might consider doing the bulk of the interior work before installing flooring.

What is a pre-screen question?

Pre-screen any candidate to determine if he or she is a good fit for your project. Pre-screen questions should cover these considerations: A contractor's experience: you want at least three years. Equipment: a contractor should have his/her own equipment. Employees: you want to see adequate support to complete the job.

What to do when you have a house in a building?

Begin with demolition and trash removal. Remove any trash inside or outside the building. Remove any items that are damaged or that you will be replacing (flooring, cabinets, appliances, light fixtures, toilets, water heaters, etc.) Outside work may include trimming any dead trees or bushes and removing garage doors, fencing, sheds, decks, and siding.

What is the best way to change the look of a house?

Install light fixtures, flooring, and appliances (stoves, dishwashers, washing machines, dryers, etc.) Lighting is a great way to change the look of a property and is relatively inexpensive compared to other repairs. Flooring may include vinyl or ceramic tile, hardwood, carpet, or laminate.

How to make a property look less like a construction site?

New windows and doors will also make the property look less like a construction site. Count the number of doors and windows you will need, and take measurements before you purchase the items. Measure very carefully. New entry doors are a nice way to change the look of a property and add value.

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