Devon re-furb

[dt100]

Hi - i'm cleaning up the interior of my 1971 Devon - and have been busy sanding the units.

My plan was simply to sand down (repair where required) and to give a coat of polyeurethene yacht varnish - however, the sanding has brought the 'oak?' up to an almost 'white' look... and I'm thinking now that to simply varnish is going to make it look a little too clean and not particularly in character to age.

I appreciate I could simply stain the wood first - but before I do this (there seems to be multi products available!!) has anyone got any advise to me as to how to finish the 'Devon' woodwork to create a clean original look?

Any advise welcome.

 

[Matt_B]

Just varnish a small part first to see what you think? Have a look on my thread on the gallery - I've done quite a bit on my devon interior - some of which has been stained ever so slightly to ensure a good match - but that was on some new oak veneers that i bought.

 

[dt100]

Hey - just had a quick look at your project - wow... thought your van looked pretty clean to start with, but you definately been busy and it's looking great!!!

With regards your 'interior' work can I ask a couple of questions:
1. - when you veneered the sides of the 'buddy seat' - did you simply glue veneer on the sides - how was the front edge finished - just sanded?
2. - what type of veneer did you use - and where did you get it?
3. - the colour you have got looks perfect (original!) - again what stain / dye did you use?

... good luck with the rest of your restorastion.

 

[Matt_B]

Hi Mate

The Buddy seat had a complete new side on it as did one of the taller units. Bit of a pig of a job but the veneer and ply was shot so was the only option. A couple of other buts weren't too bad so I just re-glued the venner back down. the new wood was 10mm ply with oak veneer from a local imber yard - very good quality, although the 10mm is slightly thinker than OG.

Haven't got the stain to hand but from memory it was just a medium wood stain - I just tested small areas to get a good match then just finished with a good satin varnish.

I have spent a lot of time varnishing and sanding - bordering on OCD

 

[easy]

Im all about the staining of the units instead of varnish it looks tons better imo 8)

Have a looksy here http://forum.earlybay.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=20&start=460" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; at my Devon parts that i restored 8)

 

[creationblue]

Hi
I used some wood stain in my last van, i then sealed it with a matt Diamond finish varnish just for protection, I think the glossy look of yaht varnish doesnt suit, just my oppionion of course...

Just