Max sent in a good question: I just recently came into possession of a pair of Heywood Wakefield step end tables that are in need of refinishing. Actually, the previous owner began the job, but gave up after sanding down the horizontal surfaces, leaving the legs with their original wheat finish. I'd ultimately like to match the original finish, and I was hoping some fellow A.T. readers might have some advice on how to do so. (Note: Include a pic of your problem and your question gets posted first.
Email questions and pics with QUESTIONS in subject line to:
chicago(at)apartmenttherapy(dot)com)
CHI Good Questions: Heywood Wakefield Refinishing?
Bar that, I'd also entertain taking them to a pro, especially if there is anyone in the Chicagoland area with Hey-Wake experience.
We know that Springdale (located in Three Oaks, Michigan) does extensive Heywood Wakefield refinishing, so if you end up going the pro route (and are up for a day trip) they might be worth a look
...but let's open it up to the AT DIY contingent first...can anyone share advice with Max for refinishing his new tables?
Comments (5)
AT Daily Email
Top House Tours
Top Posts
Links
design
more friends
- craftster.org
- idealbite.com
- kfreshdesigns
- designboner
- fototiller
- design-milk
- allthatanda
- decor8
- miapartamento
- silkfeltsoil
- home rejuvenation
- clothes-pin
- sfgirlbybay
- tyson williams
- Happy mundane
- fabulously green
- charles and hudson
- grass roots modern
- ikeahacker
- eatdrinknbmerry
- covetable
- uberreview
- crunch22
- modernflat
- modcottage
- shelterrific
- this old house
- modern-roost
- pallapalla
- anticssoblonde
- elaine vigneault
Copyright © 2008 Apartment Therapy
I love H-W furniture and have researched it a little -- the actual company doesn't sell the stain, so you have to find a reasonable approximation. My boyfriend just redid a Heywood table with the lightest color of Minwax's stain (Honey Pine might be the name?) that we could find at Home Depot. Two coats has made the table shiny and the perfect glowy yellow to rival the factory Champagne finish. Three coats might get you to Wheat.
Good luck! Those tables are so, so fab.
view sarahintex's profile
There is a vendor on ebay that sells a heywood wakefield refinishing kit. He claims it matches the original finish exactly. I however would not stain it at all and just clear coat it with minwax wipe-on poly (satin finish)
view Comicgeek's profile
I have used a brand of stain called Japan Color in Raw Sienna to refinish HW furniture. It's usually available at woodworking stores.
view arcgrrl's profile
There's a danger with actual vintage HW items, as the milky grain-filler that went under the finish is not only very hard to reproduce, but can oxidize to a random shade when exposed to the air after so long.
Consult a Wakefield expert, if possible. My grandmother's dining set looked awful after her refinisher got through with it.
view neutopian's profile
I was going to mention the eBay vendor as well. He has both wheat and champagne finishes, which combine stain and a polyurethane.
FYI, the H-W champagne finish is more of a pink tint than a yellow.
view Shawn's profile