Stain recommendation for 1st style Columbia AT Graphophone?

[Dave D]

I agree that oxalic acid is the way to go. It is sold in good paint stores or hardware stores in a powder form. You mix it with hot water (the hotter the better) and it will remove that gray color that weathered oak gets. You need to rinse well and then let it dry a day or two before proceeding. I used to work in a refinishing shop and we did a lot of oak back in the day. Chairs that had been left in the weather and turned totally gray were brought back to life using oxalic acid. If you find a product called wood bleach that is in powder form, you have oxalic acid.

Looks like you did a nice job stripping the finish. Nothing ruins a good job faster than old finish stuck in and around molding, etc.

I know Minwax is popular with a lot of people, but it really is not a good stain. You might even find that it will keep oozing out of the pores of the oak for days.

NGR and analine dyes are good, but a good brand of oil based stain like Old Masters is a good choice and fool proof. It is well worth the extra money.
Dave