[1982 Cornwalls - CWO Restoration]

6 hours ago, jcn3 said:

 

If you have walnut veneer on your Cornwalls and they were originally oiled, then you do not need to add any color.  I would lightly sand the cabinets with 000/0000 steel wool, wipe clean, then apply a couple of coats of Watco Tung Oil (apply, wipe off excess, wait 24 hours, repeat).  I just freshened up some ca 1960s HM Eames Lounge chairs doing the same thing and the results were stunning -- Tung Oil really bring out the color of the wood and dries with a matt finish.  Going forward, you'll only need to dust or wipe with damp cloth.

Note that Watco Tung Oil is pure tung oil -- it is not diluted with other chemicals like "tung oil finish" or "danish oil finish".  I wouldn't use the "restore" products as they are a combination of chemicals and typically have color added which you really don't need.

Jon, thanks.  I have sanded with 180 and 220 to get out the scratches.  I will upload some photos today and try the tung oil. 

[1982 Cornwalls - CWO Restoration]

Hello all-

 

I have a pair of 1982 Cornwalls that I inherited a few years ago.  The cabinets were a little rough and this week I finally got started on getting them refinished.  I have them stripped and sanded (had a few scratch marks on the top that needed to go).  I am looking to make the CWO finish look as close a possible to the original finish.  I have gone through and searched the topic board here but have not found the "secret sauce".  From a few years ago, HDBR said that it was boiled linseed oil mixed with black walnut, however I have not been able to find that.  I have repainted the backs and the front in black, and am making new grills, and trying to reach Duracrest about the correct brown cane.

 

I have experimented with a few combinations on the bottom the speakers but have not yet found the right one.  I also had to replace the veneer on one of the fronts, as sections had come off and they were unrepairable.  

 

Any suggestions on the finish would be greatly appreciated. 

[I want to refinish my Forté II. Could I just sand them and apply some new stain?]

On 4/19/2022 at 4:38 PM, AZMike said:

Thank you. We also just finished a pair of Cornwalls in Brazilian rosewood.

Hi Mike,

 

Were those Cornwalls originally CWO?  I am working on my pair now and trying to decide on a color.