Wood aquarium stand... UGLY!! Question? Wood workers....

reefvilla · 04/29/2010, 11:47 AM

Just bought a used 75g with a generic wood stand that you buy at a pet store. Its made out of wood and not particle board.
My problem is it just looks old and dirty....

To re-stain it, do I have to sand it down to bare wood so the stain color will be even?
OR... I thought I saw a commercial about some chemicle you rub on old wood and it brings the color/finish back to looking new Yes/No?

Sugar Magnolia · 04/29/2010, 11:48 AM

Sanding it down to the bare wood will give you the ideal sureface for refinishing. It takes a bit of time but it well worth it for a nice sharp finish.

reefvilla · 04/29/2010, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sugar Magnolia

Sanding it down to the bare wood will give you the ideal sureface for refinishing. It takes a bit of time but it well worth it for a nice sharp finish.

Is it possible to clean it up and dewax it and then go over the stain thats already there with another stain?
I don't want a bunch of time in this because I'm just gonna re-sell it.

Urban Reefer · 04/29/2010, 11:53 AM

Yes you can. If it isn't sealed you can just sand it a little and stain and seal if you like. Here is and old solid wood 55 stand I did a while back. This stand was stainded and over 20 years old.

Sugar Magnolia · 04/29/2010, 11:54 AM

You have to sand off the top layer of finish, whether it's poly or varnish or whatever. Otherwise the stain won't penetrate the wood.

reefvilla · 04/29/2010, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Urban Reefer

Yes you can. If it isn't sealed you can just sand it a little and stain and seal if you like. Here is and old solid wood 55 stand I did a while back.

]

What color is that? Looks good!

reefvilla · 04/29/2010, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sugar Magnolia

You have to sand off the top layer of finish, whether it's poly or varnish or whatever. Otherwise the stain won't penetrate the wood.

Your tryin to make me work!!

Urban Reefer · 04/29/2010, 11:57 AM

sedona red. It was some old deck stain I had left over. And yes you should get the top layer off. This one wasn't sealed, it was very dry.

jon1985 · 04/29/2010, 11:59 AM

It depends on a few things, What kind of finish is on it currently? some chemicals may affect the current finish.

If you want to restain it you will have to sand it down to wood so the stain is consistant. Is painting it an option or do you want it stained wood?

reefvilla · 04/29/2010, 11:59 AM

Its old and looks really dry...

I'm might try a little spot on back to see how it takes the stain.

Tank, stand, freshwater light, tons of fake plants and decorations, canister filter, HOB filter and a bunch of Misc. for $50!! I couldn't pass it up.

reefvilla · 04/29/2010, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jon1985

It depends on a few things, What kind of finish is on it currently? some chemicals may affect the current finish.

If you want to restain it you will have to sand it down to wood so the stain is consistant. Is painting it an option or do you want it stained wood?

I wanted it to match the Oak aquarium.... I guess I just need to get out the sander!!

Sugar Magnolia · 04/29/2010, 12:03 PM

Works great for getting into tight spots and corners.

reefvilla · 04/29/2010, 12:04 PM

What about this...

Lightly sand it with 0000 steel wool... clean it good and then use a spray can of Polyurethane or something else that will not cause a reaction to just give it a fresh shiny look?

Sugar Magnolia · 04/29/2010, 12:17 PM

You're really trying hard not to put too much effort into this aren't you?

reefvilla · 04/29/2010, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sugar Magnolia

You're really trying hard not to put too much effort into this aren't you?

I HATE sanding and staining!
OK... I'm gonna break out the sander and do it the right way...

Thanks for the help!

RVANANO · 04/29/2010, 01:22 PM

If you spray poly on without removing the old clear (whatever it may be) the two chemicals could cause a negative reaction and really be a pain to fix. I would sand as much as possible first. I cannot see the pix at work but a lot of aquarium stands and furniture may look like wood but are veneered particle board/plywood. Just make sure that it is or isn't before sanding too much or you could go right through the veneer.

reefvilla · 04/29/2010, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RVANANO

If you spray poly on without removing the old clear (whatever it may be) the two chemicals could cause a negative reaction and really be a pain to fix. I would sand as much as possible first. I cannot see the pix at work but a lot of aquarium stands and furniture may look like wood but are veneered particle board/plywood. Just make sure that it is or isn't before sanding too much or you could go right through the veneer.

I'm picking it up today but I made sure to look at it...Its real wood. I'm gonna suck it up and just sand it, do it right the first time.

Thanks

RVANANO · 04/29/2010, 02:03 PM

It is actually kind of a zen like experience when you get into the sanding. And it is a great personal reward to re-finish a piece of furniture IMO

reefvilla · 04/29/2010, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RVANANO

It is actually kind of a zen like experience when you get into the sanding. And it is a great personal reward to re-finish a piece of furniture IMO

I'd rather get my Zen on the couch with some cookies and milk!!

75gsalt · 04/29/2010, 02:33 PM

I'd go to Sherwin Williams and get a chemical stripper. Even you best furniture re finishers us it. Works great and fast. Wear gloves and don't breath the vapors. Lightly sand and refinish. Done in 24 hrs.

Sugar Magnolia · 04/29/2010, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reefvilla

I'd rather get my Zen on the couch with some cookies and milk!!

RVANANO · 04/29/2010, 02:52 PM

Hahaha. Yeah. I am a project guy. I love to build and restore things

Be careful with the strippers. Sometimes they don't work that well and will create a varnish on the areas that wont strip. Which becomes an absolute nightmare to sand off. If you have access to a DA either electric or air, I would just sand it down. I majored in furniture design and had a business building furniture and refinishing furniture for several years an have had lots of experience

msr224 · 04/29/2010, 03:05 PM

If it's that big of a deal doing the work....then paint it a nice gloss black after a quick rub down to get any dirt and residue off. The black look is in and it'll look just like a brand new one from the pet store.......

reefvilla · 04/29/2010, 06:54 PM

Well, I sanded it down. Actually, once I decided to just do it, it only took about an hour and a half to sand it down, wipe it off and stain it. It looks WAY better. Actually looks new so I'm pretty happy with it.
I'm getting ready to spray the satin Poly on it and then I'm done!

Guess I just needed some pushing to get me to do it right.

04/29/2010, 11:47 AM	#1
reefvilla Moved On Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Missouri Posts: 464	Wood aquarium stand... UGLY!! Question? Wood workers.... Just bought a used 75g with a generic wood stand that you buy at a pet store. Its made out of wood and not particle board. My problem is it just looks old and dirty.... To re-stain it, do I have to sand it down to bare wood so the stain color will be even? OR... I thought I saw a commercial about some chemicle you rub on old wood and it brings the color/finish back to looking new Yes/No?

04/29/2010, 11:48 AM	#2
Sugar Magnolia Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Northern VA Posts: 17,691	Sanding it down to the bare wood will give you the ideal sureface for refinishing. It takes a bit of time but it well worth it for a nice sharp finish. __________________ Adrienne The only thing to fear is fear itself....and spiders.

04/29/2010, 11:54 AM	#5
Sugar Magnolia Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Northern VA Posts: 17,691	You have to sand off the top layer of finish, whether it's poly or varnish or whatever. Otherwise the stain won't penetrate the wood. __________________ Adrienne The only thing to fear is fear itself....and spiders.

04/29/2010, 11:59 AM	#9
jon1985 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: West of Ottawa Posts: 617	It depends on a few things, What kind of finish is on it currently? some chemicals may affect the current finish. If you want to restain it you will have to sand it down to wood so the stain is consistant. Is painting it an option or do you want it stained wood? __________________ Jon Lester

04/29/2010, 12:03 PM	#12
Sugar Magnolia Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Northern VA Posts: 17,691	Works great for getting into tight spots and corners. __________________ Adrienne The only thing to fear is fear itself....and spiders.

04/29/2010, 11:53 AM	#4
Urban Reefer Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: OP Kansas Posts: 50	Yes you can. If it isn't sealed you can just sand it a little and stain and seal if you like. Here is and old solid wood 55 stand I did a while back. This stand was stainded and over 20 years old.

04/29/2010, 11:57 AM	#8
Urban Reefer Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: OP Kansas Posts: 50	sedona red. It was some old deck stain I had left over. And yes you should get the top layer off. This one wasn't sealed, it was very dry.

04/29/2010, 12:04 PM	#13
reefvilla Moved On Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Missouri Posts: 464	What about this... Lightly sand it with 0000 steel wool... clean it good and then use a spray can of Polyurethane or something else that will not cause a reaction to just give it a fresh shiny look?

04/29/2010, 12:17 PM	#14
Sugar Magnolia Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Northern VA Posts: 17,691	You're really trying hard not to put too much effort into this aren't you? __________________ Adrienne The only thing to fear is fear itself....and spiders.

04/29/2010, 01:22 PM	#16
RVANANO SWAGON Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 3,404	If you spray poly on without removing the old clear (whatever it may be) the two chemicals could cause a negative reaction and really be a pain to fix. I would sand as much as possible first. I cannot see the pix at work but a lot of aquarium stands and furniture may look like wood but are veneered particle board/plywood. Just make sure that it is or isn't before sanding too much or you could go right through the veneer.

04/29/2010, 02:03 PM	#18
RVANANO SWAGON Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 3,404	It is actually kind of a zen like experience when you get into the sanding. And it is a great personal reward to re-finish a piece of furniture IMO

04/29/2010, 02:33 PM	#20
75gsalt Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Southeast Kansas Posts: 286	I'd go to Sherwin Williams and get a chemical stripper. Even you best furniture re finishers us it. Works great and fast. Wear gloves and don't breath the vapors. Lightly sand and refinish. Done in 24 hrs. __________________ 75 ga. reef 20 gal. sump corals GSP assorted Polyps Zoos PomPom Xenia Waving Hand Xenia Blue Mushroom Toadstool Leather Current Tank Info: 75g. reef 125 lbs. live rock 90lbs. live sand 1 Clown small Regal Tang 20 Nass. Snails Turbos hermit

04/29/2010, 02:52 PM	#22
RVANANO SWAGON Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 3,404	Hahaha. Yeah. I am a project guy. I love to build and restore things Be careful with the strippers. Sometimes they don't work that well and will create a varnish on the areas that wont strip. Which becomes an absolute nightmare to sand off. If you have access to a DA either electric or air, I would just sand it down. I majored in furniture design and had a business building furniture and refinishing furniture for several years an have had lots of experience

04/29/2010, 03:05 PM	#23
msr224 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 540	If it's that big of a deal doing the work....then paint it a nice gloss black after a quick rub down to get any dirt and residue off. The black look is in and it'll look just like a brand new one from the pet store....... __________________ The best thing a man can do for his children is to love their mother. Current Tank Info: Just a mixed reef tank.

04/29/2010, 06:54 PM	#24
reefvilla Moved On Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Missouri Posts: 464	Well, I sanded it down. Actually, once I decided to just do it, it only took about an hour and a half to sand it down, wipe it off and stain it. It looks WAY better. Actually looks new so I'm pretty happy with it. I'm getting ready to spray the satin Poly on it and then I'm done! Guess I just needed some pushing to get me to do it right.

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