Interior Wood Panels

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marilynch

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I am doing the head linings and electrics on my Snappy, while she is 'in a bit of a pickle' I am wondereing and would like some ideas whether it is possible or worth trying to lighten some of the remaining wood panels (approx 3-4mm thick) in the cabins, (sorry no photo), there do not appear to be many layers of varnish therefore;

Will the old varnish have yellowed and will sanding and a new coat of varnish bring it to life and appear to lighten it? (there isn't any where to do a decent sample patch), will this be futile, will cleaning and just putting another coat of varnish have satisfactory results?

Just out of interest, (as I doubt I could nor would want to justify the expense!) .... can wood be bleached?

Thanks
 
Where I used to work there was wood panelling, doors etc. in many different woods. When repairs had to be made there was a man who did all the finishes. He could bleach or stain any wood to match any other wood. I once saw him bleach some old dark walnut, to match some modern beech. He said it was a shame, but thats what he had been told to do, so he did it. He had a huge collection of stains, chemicals, polishes and varnishes. So the answer is yes, but you really need to find someone who knows what to use. If you want to bleach wood, you will first have to strip all traces of varnish.
 
Wood bleaching is more use where you have dark watermarks where damp has got below varnish. In this case Oxalic acid was considered the right stuff. Although I drew a blank 2 years ago trying to source oxalic itself I did find one of the teak brighteners in the chandlery did contain oxalic and worked. For large cabin panels that have merely aged surely the only way will be to remove the varnish and gently power sand back to new looking timber.
 
Very interesting - I have have now had a quick read up on the use of oxalic acid and, as I suspected, the process requires the use of lots of water and so the process would be too mucky and time consuming (or me).

I will go the sanding route.

Thanks All
 
Depending on the wood involved it may lighten when it has been sanded back. Sunlight darkens some woods especially teak.

If you sand it back and then use a uv proof laquer you may get enough improvement.
 
Ouch! not good!

I think Turps is also absorbed through the skin and can make you feel unwell!(I dont know to what extenct, if at all, I shall find out)
 
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