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refinishing church pews

howardroarke | Posted in Construction Techniques on March 6, 2004 06:47am

We are intending to lightly sand and refinish existing church pews with water based urethane,  hopefully one coat. The existing finish is waorn at corners etc. but not in bad shape.  Anyone have any advice, words of wisdom etc.  Thanks.

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  1. DougU | Mar 06, 2004 08:03pm | #1

    howard

    Do you know what finish was on the pews originaly, that may have some barring as to what you put on top of it.

    Doug

    1. User avater
      howardroarke | Mar 06, 2004 09:49pm | #4

      I assume varnish.

  2. r_ignacki | Mar 06, 2004 08:07pm | #2

    nose-plug.

    I'm serious, the stench will knock you out! A simple clothspin will do.  As soon as the grit of the sandpaper scratches the surface of the wood, it emits a very offensive odour.

    Why do you think ther're called church phews for?

  3. AdamB | Mar 06, 2004 08:57pm | #3

    Church pews typicaly have a varnish on them with not much in the way of protection...  well... at least from the factory. 

    I would test these first.

    The years of oil from people sitting on them might make them rather hard to get something to stick with out blotching.

    You might want to post this over on Knots in the finishing section. 

  4. bill_1010 | Mar 07, 2004 01:16am | #5

    thoroughly clean them down with naptha using rags and qtips in the corners.  lightly sand them and repeat the naptha.   Those pews have much hidden dirt and grime. 

    if they are oak youll have surface tension problems on the open grain structure with water based finishes.  The final finish will resemble a fish eye effect due to the water finishes not being able to grasp the wood in grain structure of the wood.  This results in a not so smooth finish.  This is negated if they use a pore or grain filler, but i doubt thats the case.  

    Id spray them with an oil based varnish or poly or use water based if the original finish is water based.

    You can convert the oil to water by putting a base coat of shellac to seal the differences in finishes.

    If you have several pews to refinish you can even use an airless sprayer to apply your finish coat on.  

  5. User avater
    Sphere | Mar 07, 2004 04:29am | #6

    Wet sand with Naptha..Black wet/dry paper 220 grit and keep it wet..a small bucket will be fine. Wipe off the slurry with more naptha..let dry for at least 2 hrs.

    Dilute Zinnsers Seal-coat..50/50 with denatured alcohol..slobber it on with a large natural bristle brush..let dry 2 Hrs.

    Apply whatever top coat you prefer..water based urethane is excellent for that..won't get sticky in the summer, and wont take so long to dry as a varnish...less dust.

    BTDT..many times.

    View Image

    Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

    Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations. 

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