Silky oak desk project - advice welcome

Hello, I have a silky oak desk that I want to restore and would really welcome some advice on how to achieve the best finish. While I've successfully done a few small restoration jobs before (chairs, coffee table, stools) I have not done a large table before. And this is my first post on the forum!

The desk will be in regular use so i want a durable finish but one that is in keeping with the age of the item. The original finish is quite dark (the pic of the full desk is the truest colour), i would prefer to go lighter.

Metho and superfine steel wool have quite easily removed the existing finish on one of the drawers (see pics) - assume it was shellac. The grain is still quite dark.

I plan to do this all by hand...

Thanks very much to anyone who is willing to help out with some tips. Keen to get started!

Cheers, Bessie

Lightening wood is generally done by some sort of bleaching, the locally available brands someone else will have to identify for you. And o=more so what strength to achieve just a small degree of lightning.

As the original finish is a shellac, have you considered white or blond shellac as a test to see if that gives the effect you are looking for.

The dark finish is probably shellac that's still in the grain of the wood. Had a similar problem in silky, and cleaned it up by planing the timber. On my job, it wasn't too hard, but yours has a bigger area.

Thanks v much for your replies. I have finished taking off the old shellac and sanded back with up to 240 garnet paper. Then re-done with metho and steel wool because of the remaining staining in the grain. This took some of the stain out but there is still a bit to go. I think I am too new at this to tackle planing the timber...

Actually I dont mind the look as it is but it is not even over the whole job - i am a bit concerned about putting on a neutral finish (although that's what I would like) - perhaps a shellac with some colour would help to even things out?

Thanks again for your advice. All suggestions welcome.

Hi Bessie,
Looks like a great project for you!! And you will get plenty of help from folks on here...its been a saviour for some of my projects!
Re the colour..looks like original finish was shellac , and the difference in colour is probably something you just keep working on with 000 or 0000SW / meths. until you are satisfied. If it were me, I would continue with some elbow grease in preference to planing or bleaching. If there's one thing I've learned here, surface prep is paramount to success...and when you start to think you're ready...you probably have more rubbing back to do!!! But don't start to get into the timber fibres!!!! Anyway, an older piece like this will look awesome with a bit of patina (or, as some here prefer...'character'!)
Then, if you want to stick to original, a few shellac coats finished off with a good wax and buff. Keep us in the loop with your progress, and post pics as you go. Good luck, Lawry

Thanks for your interest Lawry, i think i will opt for elbow grease, followed by blond shellac and wax. Cheers.

All done. Very happy with the result :)

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Originally Posted by Bessie

All done. Very happy with the result :)

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Nice job....well done! Npow the big question.....whats your NEXT project??? :q Lawry

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Originally Posted by Bessie

All done. Very happy with the result :)

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Well done Bessie, that turned out nicely!

I like Silky Oak, it is a great timber, and I live in the natural home of it, here in NQ, but there is none available any more- Forestry have locked it all up :(

Can you please show is some closeups of the grain and the top?

Yep, I'm with that, a couple more pictures and care to pass on any lesson's learnt from the job.

hi Bessie, that looks a simple, neat restoration job, you should be really pleased with that effort. Would like to see some more pics please.

Thanks for the positive feedback and interest in my little desk project. Sorry for the slow reply - other things got in the way...

I've attached a couple more pictures (sorry, couldn't seem to avoid the reflections). Interesting to revisit the job after several months of use. The finish has lost some of the initial glossiness - might benefit from some more layers of shellac...

Lessons:
1. ask questions
2. be patient
3. don't be afraid of shellac - what wonderful stuff it is!

This was a very rewarding job for me and the result gives daily pleasure :)

I rather fancy finding a silky oak filing cabinet now.

Forgot to say, the finish is blonde shellac 4lb cut, lost count of how many coats...gave a very satisfying golden glow to the grain.

I'll say again, That looks wonderful.

And you sound like the bug has bitten.