Wood lightening stuff

[Colin24]

The tiny cabin on my 23 foot boat has quite a lot of wood around.
I like the wood, it gives a cosy feel to the place.
The problem is it’s either naturally dark or has a dark stain applied.

Coupled with the grey seat covers the overall effect is best described as dismal.

See for yourself below:

I can have the seat cushion covers renewed with something more lively and the
Window covers changed, (the floor has already been painted since the photos were taken)
Is there a product that I can apply to the wood (after sanding) that will lighten it?
Ideally I’d like to like to end up with the wood looking several tones lighter and then put a clear varnish back on.

Any ideas?

Cheers all.

 

[nigelhudson]

Oxalic acid is sold by woodworking suppliers as a bleach for wood but I've never used it for that purpose so I'm not making any recommendation. Here's an example........ ag woodcare

 

[DanTribe]

You appear to have sapele veneered ply panels with solid mahogany [probably West African] trim. If you try to bleach it lighter you will probably end up with a very patchy piebald effect.
The oxalic acid will only work if you can remove all the existing varnish and work it into the grain, not at all an easy job.
If you persevere and are successful you may achieve a cheaper looking effect than at present, but after prodigious efforts.
You could perhaps try painting a few small panels white to try and reduce the amount of dark areas. If you give a coat of varnish first you have a chance of reversing the process when you change your mind.
I think it looks great as it is.
Don't try and make it look like a MacDonalds.

 

[Bajansailor]

Some suggestions :
Put a nice bright and colourful (or light coloured and plain) table cloth on the dinette table.
Hang a picture or a colourful calendar on the forward and / or aft bulkheads.
Just changing the cushion covers for a colour / pattern that is more bright will work wonders.
Paint the floor (make it non skid) and have a small light or bright coloured rug.

 

[William_H]

Yes I think the wood work looks great. As bajansailor says just lighten up the decor. olewill

 

[Colin24]

OK, collectively you've talked me out of it.
I was already worried about making a hash of it and then regretting it.
I’ll brighten the place up with soft furnishings and leave the wood alone.

Thanks for the replies, probably saved me from myself, not to mention a lot of work.


Cheers

Colin

 

[ccscott49]

The only effecdtive way of lightening that wodd, is paint it white, otherwise, listen to the others and make it lighter with additions. FWIW I think it looks nice.

 

[TiggerToo]

yes, as other have said, the wood looks fine. Work on teh soft furnishing covers, matching curtains and sort out that floor! All much easier and likely to be more effective than tampering with the wood - whose grain looks fine in the pics