Replies

1. 
   Bill_Westervelt | Nov 22, 2000 03:28am | #1

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   Steve - Whatever you do, dont get rid of the marks from the hand hewing! Not sure how you can lighten the wood without sanding. Are you sure they were stained and not just darkened over many many years?

   Is this part of your house now or is it still a barn?

   I would do my best to preserve it in its original form as it sounds like a nice old building.

   Good Luck.

1. 
   George_W._Carpenter | Nov 22, 2000 04:27am | #2

   *Sounds like the structure may be old-enough for the beams to have darkened naturally, with no "stain" applied. I'd leave them be.Sand your floor and proceed.

1. 
   C_H_Curtis | Nov 22, 2000 05:11am | #3

   *Hi - Beam color -- best would be to leave it be. It's probably natural aging. If you absolutely cannot stand dark beams, though, you might want to look at some of the deck cleaners that essentially bleach the wood. Floor -- this is old wood, right? If part of the old barn, it already has stuff on it (even if what that stuff is doesn't bear thinking about). Better go with tung oil rather than polyurethane. Oil will soak in and polymerize; poly will form a surface coating. When the oil is well dried, you can topcoat it with a more durable varnish or with a wax. If it's not old barn wood, then see if you can figure out what's on it already. I'd still go with the oil, but I prefer old-fashioned finishes.-Claire

1. 
   David_Doud | Nov 22, 2000 06:33am | #4

   *How about a good pressure wash? Usually will brighten things up - I've used a lot of Linseed oil to finish - straight raw on beams and logs - boiled cut 50% with turpentine on floors - stain added to the mix if desired - ages gracefully and is easily refreshed as desired - be careful disposing of any rags used with oil.

2. 
   Steve_Dayton | Nov 22, 2000 06:33am | #5

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   I have recently purchased a house, a portion of which is an old post and beam barn. I have two questions for anyone with experience renovating old barns.
   1.) The rough-hewn beams and posts have been stained dark and I would like to return them to their original color or put a lighter stain over them. Any ideas?
   2.) The floors are 2 x 6 pine t&g planking. How should they be refinished? Am thinking about oil-based polyurethane or tongue oil. Is there anything wrong with either.