97 year old Hemlock 4 panel doors

muskoka

I've dipped & stripped all the internal doors (removed rimlocks first ), however not sure what the best product is to use to finish them off with?

Varnish - if so, clear or coloured?
Wax - If so, clear or coloured?

Their currently quite pale, panel parts are darker for some reason?

I look at other peoples old doors (only online) and they look lovely. I just dont feel that mine look 'lovely' yet. I know they've still got to be hand sanded, but really unsure how to finish them & cant afford to get it wrong. Any advice would be very welcome. Thanks

Dippypud

Make sure the stripping medium has been neutralised properly first, otherwise all your hard work will be for nothing..:cool:

muskoka

hmm, Sorry, but I've no idea what chemicals were used to strip it. Maybe could find out though.....

Is there any other way to ensure this 'neutralisation', without bothering the dip & strip people??

tony6403

Difficult to give a reply based on experience as I have never worked with hemlock . However I do know that hemlock is a softwood rather like pine. I have found no problem in getting a good finish on stripped pine by cleaning it with white spirit . This sometimes causes the grain to rise a little. Left for a day this can be easily sanded and then my choice for finishing is almost always three or more coats of danish oil.
It would be best if you had some way of doing a test area. Perhaps you could experiment on the top , unseen , edge of a door (but not the end grain on the stiles).

muskoka

ok thank you very much. Will certainly try that. Feel really stupd asking, but having never used danish oil before, any idea which make is best to try ?

tony6403

Colron is good .

HelenDaveKids

Would definitely recommend danish oil. We had exactly the same doors, stripped and then applied. Looked gorgeous, darker colour, really brings out colour of hemlock. Bought it from a local blokey hardware shop (you know the sort of place) as B and Q sold, but in tiny tins and quite pricey compared to what I paid.

Good luck.

Ps what are you doing with the dor knobs? I stripped the brass back down and polished and had gorgeous ebony knobs.

muskoka

Thanks very much. Decision made - Def try Danish oil.

We've got the original rimlocks and will strip back & restore - but at a later date. Gonna move into house with no doorknobs :j