Replies

1. 
   Piffin | Jul 25, 2003 12:10am | #1

   First thing do is find out whether these are solid wood in sashes or veneered.

   If veneered, paint is the way to go.

   If solid, I don't envy the amount of work you are planning to be doing on them to sand back. Pain t might still be the way to go.

   .

   Excellence is its own reward!

1. 
   DennisS | Jul 25, 2003 01:53am | #2

   Thanks for the reply, Piffin -

   I know from previous use of Pella windows that they're solid wood. I'm really hoping to find a way to avoid painting the wood but .... plans of mice and men oft go ary. Or something like that.

   ...........

   Dennis in Bellevue WA

   [email protected]

1. 
   DougU | Jul 25, 2003 02:38am | #3

   Dennis

   Like Piffin said, I don't envy you trying to strip/sand these windows, you could work on them for a long time and still not get enough of the old stain out to change the color.

   I would try a paint that compliments the color of your cabinets.

   Doug

1. 
   darrel | Jul 25, 2003 02:56am | #4

   bamboo plywood? Tell me more...

1. 
   Handydan | Jul 25, 2003 11:17am | #5

   I have been told of bleaches that are pretty good at removing unwanted finishes, but I am not any more help.  They do offer a lot of nice colors of paint, you must be able to find something suitable.  Black lacquer furniture can look nice with bamboo, not sure about windows though.  Be careful, much ventilation will be in order if you do strip.  Good luck.

   Dan

2. 
   DennisS | Jul 25, 2003 07:13pm | #7

   HandyDan -

   I don't think black laquer would go over with the Mrs. .... took quite a while to sell the grey stone for the countertop! (grin)

   I'll look into bleaches at the local specialty paint shop.

   Thanks for the comments

   ...........

   Dennis in Bellevue WA

   [email protected]

2. 
   RickGreg | Jul 25, 2003 04:33pm | #6

   Dennis- You may want to post your question over at the Knots/ Fine Woodworking forum. Those guys discuss refinishing often.

   Good luck.

1. 
   DennisS | Jul 25, 2003 07:16pm | #8

   Hi Rick -

   Yeah, I have a similar thread running over there. (Knots)

   Paint seems to be winning the arguement, though.

   Dang!!!

   ...........

   Dennis in Bellevue WA

   [email protected]

2. 
   painter02645 | Jul 26, 2003 03:44am | #9

   Bamboo ....hmmmm why not paint them out to match the base color(very light tan?) then have them grained to match,not cheap but easier then stripping them.Just finished stripping,reputty job on 98, 6/6 windows,and would not wish this on anyone but a client with very deep pockets.  

1. 
   darrel | Jul 26, 2003 06:59am | #10

   well, I went on the hunt for some bamboo plywood on the internet. That's interesting stuff! Now to find a local supplier...

1. 
   DennisS | Jul 26, 2003 10:45am | #11

   Darrel -

   There are two suppliers local to the Seattle area that do out of state sales:

   TimberGrass and Bamboo Hardwoods. Bamboo Hardwoods is my current favorite in that they deal not only in plywood and flooring (this was my real introduction to Bamboo products) but in timber bamboo itself. This latter is rather amazing stuff. It's a proven sustainable yield "forest" product, the quotes since as we all know, bamboo is a grass and not a tree. It has a very tick wall unlike what we usually associate bamboo with like fishing poles and the like. I've even taken some scrap stuff and turned vessels from it which are quite nice. The material, that is.

   It turns well, seems to require extremely sharp blades for cutting to avoid fuzzy edges but they can be knocked off easily with a sandpaper block.

   I find it fascinating stuff to work with.

   However ... the jury's still out on how stable it is. The plywood. I have a couple off cuts I bought to make doors for a laundry room sink cabinet and I find that sitting in my shop they've taken on a slight warp from being left exposed on only one side. Hopefully the ash frame will bring them back into submission.

   ...........

   Dennis in Bellevue WA

   [email protected]