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ADS 910 Cabinet Restoration

Young46

Young46

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A friend asked if I could refinish the cabinets on his ADS 910's. He knows that I am just a hobbyist but said he trusted me. I agreed and set out to do a little research on them. What I got from the spec sheets is the walnut veneer is dark walnut and the stands are black wrinkle finish paint. I stripped the cabinets to bare wood as best I could without fear of sanding through the veneer. I then applied 100% boiled linseed oil to a spot on the bottom of one speaker and Watcos natural finish to another spot. Although I preferred the linseed oil finish, the owner preferred the Watcos finish which is darker. I am posting photos of the progress and welcome comments!
 
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Photos of the original finish.
 

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Photos of the prep.
 

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Photos of the finish. The Watcos is growing on me but to me the finish is a little dull looking. Again, tips and comments are appreciated!
 

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Nice job getting those dings and dings out in the first posts. Nice technique. Actually, the finish looks pretty darn good Young46. Like you I liked the Linseed, but to my eyes, the Watco looks closer to original from pics I've seen over the years. Very nice work!

Garry~
 
Young46 said:
Photos of the finish. The Watcos is growing on me but to me the finish is a little dull looking. Again, tips and comments are appreciated!
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BIG improvement! Those look like they were in a sunny spot, leaving the stand areas clearly marked like that.

Regarding the dullness. How many oil applications have you done? On every cab resto I've done with walnut, it takes 5 applications before the veneer stops absorbing it. When you apply the 5th or more applications, wipe it on, and then block sand with 1000 wet-dry sand paper with the grain. This will buff the surface. I also use paper towels as a buffer and hand rub the surfaces after a good week or more once the Watcos has completely dried.
 
swechsler said:
Very nice. What are you planning on doing with the stands?

Are those 810 cabinets in the background?
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Thank you. I am going to use the VHT wrinkle finish black paint.

Yes, they are my L810’s. I have had them for a few years and I love them! I’m going to restore them in the near future.
 
Spiceman50 said:
Nice job getting those dings and dings out in the first posts. Nice technique. Actually, the finish looks pretty darn good Young46. Like you I liked the Linseed, but to my eyes, the Watco looks closer to original from pics I've seen over the years. Very nice work!

Garry~
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Thank you.
 
GD70 said:
BIG improvement! Those look like they were in a sunny spot, leaving the stand areas clearly marked like that.

Regarding the dullness. How many oil applications have you done? On every cab resto I've done with walnut, it takes 5 applications before the veneer stops absorbing it. When you apply the 5th or more applications, wipe it on, and then block sand with 1000 wet-dry sand paper with the grain. This will buff the surface. I also use paper towels as a buffer and hand rub the surfaces after a good week or more once the Watcos has completely dried.
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Thank you Glenn! I have never done any oil application and what you see in the photos are 2 coats of the Watco natural so I’m wondering what I should do next. I applied the Watcos following the directions on the can. My first attempt at refinishing cabinets. So following the instructions (brushing one coat on, wait 15 minutes, brush on another coat, wait 15 more minutes and then wipe off) is that considered one coat or two?
 
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Young46 said:
Thank you Glenn! I have never done any oil application and what you see in the photos are 2 coats of the Watco natural so I’m wondering what I should do next. I applied the Watcos following the directions on the can. My first attempt at refinishing cabinets. So following the instructions (brushing one coat on, wait 15 minutes, brush on another coat, wait 15 more minutes and then wipe off) is that considered one coat or two?
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I NEVER brush the Watcos, I wipe it on with an old sock, or cut up t-shirt pieces. Put on the can lid, tip it upside down so oil gets on the sock, wipe, repeat.
 
GD70 said:
I NEVER brush the Watcos, I wipe it on with an old sock, or cut up t-shirt pieces. Put on the can lid, tip it upside down so oil gets on the sock, wipe, repeat.
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First mistake I guess. I saw the first instruction was to apply with a brush or cloth. I’ll use clean cloth or microfiber towel on subsequent coats.
 
Young46 said:
First mistake I guess. I saw the first instruction was to apply with a brush or cloth. I’ll use clean cloth or microfiber towel on subsequent coats.
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You have more control wiping it on. You followed the directions, it's all good.
 
Young46 said:
So if I’m following your method, I need to do another 4 coats? Man they look better today after drying 24 hours.
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All depends on when the veneer stops absorbing the oil. When the oil pretty much just sits on the surface, then you're done. Then it needs to dry for a good 4-5 days at least.
 
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GD70 said:
All depends on when the veneer stops absorbing the oil. When the oil pretty much just sits on the surface, then you're done. Then it needs to dry for a good 4-5 days at least.
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Photos of (I think) the Watco finish. 6 coats. Does anything else need to be applied to the cabinets? Working on stands. Comment is welcome.
 

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Young46 said:
Photos of (I think) the Watco finish. 6 coats. Does anything else need to be applied to the cabinets? Working on stands. Comment is welcome.
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They look great! You don’t need to do anything else, except maybe an annual, or bi-annual single oil refresh.
Very nice work!
 
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