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Questions: repairing scratches and dings in vintage stained wood trim

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    I could use some expert advise from those of you who are remodeling older homes.  I have a 1904 arts and crafts/victorian era american four square.  We bought the home because it still has all of the original trim throughout the house.  The huge plus is that none of the trim has ever been painted.  After 100 years, the trim is showing its age.  There are gaps that I need to fill in between pieces, and gaps between the floor and trim.  Any help in a stainable filler for those areas?

    The mainfloor is a lighter stain that is typical of the arts and crafts period.  At some point the Dining room stain was darkened, but the stain is wearing off in areas.  Upstairs the trim and doors are all a dark ebony stain that is shiny.  I am told this was popular in the 1920s. I'd like to restore all of the trim and doors, using the same stain colors that are on the trim, but getting rid of all the scratches, and nicks, and paint splats that taken place over the years.  I am hoping that I will not have to sand or strip all of the trim, but I need advise.  Please help!!...thanks
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      CommentAuthorlukspencer
    • CommentTimeNov 2nd 2009
     
    Usually when I restore older stained items around the house I have to make a mix of several stains or putties to get the right color.  Like say you have a color that is a little darker than a golden oak but not quite gunstock.  I would start with the light color then mix in a little dark until I reached the color I am looking for.  Or...if you have a oak base that has a red tint I will start with an oak and add a red stain until I have the desired color.  Get a color palette from the hardware store (Minwax usually has one they distribute), and determine what you will have to mix to get the colors you have.  Scratches should be fixed with the smallest amount of stain possible.  Apply it with a q-tip or something similar.   If you are re-varnishing make certain that you use varnish for varnish and shellac for shellac.  There are several different finishes they used 100 years ago. By the Way...if you your house is completely covered in shellac you will probably will not need stain for the scratches, because shellac was the fix all for this situation.  It is naturally colored, and comes in a very light to a relatively dark.  You can refinish this with a wax made for shellac (also in a hardware store).  

    I hope I have not endlessly confused you.  I guess my main point is try to make your own color if you cannot find a good substitute, and if you have shellac, just match the shade and refinish with wax.

    Luke 

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