Advice for refinishing a stand?

[davocean]

Any putty's will most likely show after staining or clear coating, I try to avoid them, only nail holes and after stain, and you have to make sure it's well wiped off around surrounding area or it will show in the clear coat.
Your clear coat will highlight any and every imperfection, stain grade work must be clean to look nice.

 

[Bl4ckDr4g0n]

Thats going to look really nice when its done. Watch some wood finishing videos on you tube. You can learn a ton in a short time.

 

[SammieT]

Any putty's will most likely show after staining or clear coating, I try to avoid them, only nail holes and after stain, and you have to make sure it's well wiped off around surrounding area or it will show in the clear coat.
Your clear coat will highlight any and every imperfection, stain grade work must be clean to look nice.

What do you recommend I do for those than? I know of some little dents and I've only seen 4 total holes in the stand itself but those are for the hanging bracket kit for the light

 

[SammieT]

Thats going to look really nice when its done. Watch some wood finishing videos on you tube. You can learn a ton in a short time.

Will check them out, I've noticed half the time I have no clue what they are taking about

 

[Bl4ckDr4g0n]

Will check them out, I've noticed half the time I have no clue what they are taking about

You can pick up some scraps of wood and practice on them first, and be certain you like the finish before you do the piece you care about.

 

[SammieT]

You can pick up some scraps of wood and practice on them first, and be certain you like the finish before you do the piece you care about.

True, I do have some of the warped original doors I could use to make some practice

Didn't think of that some reason


Thank you [emoji4]

 

[davocean]

What do you recommend I do for those than? I know of some little dents and I've only seen 4 total holes in the stand itself but those are for the hanging bracket kit for the light

Just do your best to sand those dents out and make them less visible is best I can say w/out actually seeing in person.
They do make some fillers they claim are stainable, and I guess they are, but it always receives the stain different than the wood and I know I would see it.
Personally I'd rather see a small dent than filler, I can't stand seeing filler on stain grade material myself, but I've been a finish carpenter for a long time, so I do have high standards and an eye for stuff like that.

 

[SammieT]

Progress so far since I began

 

[SharkJP]

sorry, double post

 

[SharkJP]

Ever use spar poly? Used to use it for beachside railings and it holds up very well to getting wet and uv exposure. Not sure if our lamps are strong enough to do anythin to the stand.

If I had op's stand I would spray several layers of gloss white paint on the inside and on the outside I would do a driftwood technique. It's really easy and comes out like this tabletop:

It looks like wood that floated in the ocean and then bleached in the sun. I did a shelf that way and in came out awesome

If there's any way to have the table stick out a little more from the tank on one side it is a huuuge convience to have a small shelf to rest your test vials (or beer) while you work on a tank.

WOW, love that look. I'd like to hear more about how you did that. I am just finishing the last few rows of laying bamboo on all 3 levels in my house and the Mrs. hasn't decided on the finish for the staircase yet but a driftwood-ish type look is what we've talked about and I think shed love that.

Sorry, didn't mean to hijack the thread

 

[SharkJP]

Also, before staining I would make Minwax Pre-Stain wood conditioner your new best friend.

It will really help avoid any splotching type issues