Blonde vs Lime....

[uhoh7]

Hi,

I'm about to retrieve a blonde RT3, and I'm trying to learn about the finishes and cleaning them etc. Many good threads here, thank you.

However, I'm confused about Lime oak vs Blonde. When I google either I get the same organs LOL

Is limeoak blonde?

if not, any image links apreciated.

Thanks!

[Guest]

I wholeheartedly recommend Howard’s Restore A Finish having spent today massaging it into my BC. The results are astounding. I can’t help with your question about the veneer finish though.

I’m sure there must be a scan of an old Hammond brochure online that might show the different finishes.

[Brendon Wright]

I was told by... someone?... sometime back... that there actually are no actual Blonde Hammonds, just the limed oak.

It's a heckuva lot easier to call it Blonde though, we know the finish intended.

I've got a C3 and PR40 in the same colour in need of attention but haven't touched it.

[PGR]

I remember when I was a kid old painters talked about liming wood as a finishing treatment OAk was a favourite wood to do this on. I have no idea how it worked other than lime was a used like an acid wash on the wood . I don't think anyone would do this today to treat wood . Maybe some of the other refinishers could comment on this approach to wood treatment. Could be period specific and it would fit in with the Hammond creations and light colours staining practices of that era.

[Brendon Wright]

It would seem the white streaks are filling in the grain perhaps, then a clear or honey coloured varnish?

[Tim_at_Jonas]

Back in the 50's some of the Gibson Les Paul Special models were Limed Mahogany. A nice look - not beige, not blonde - hard to described. Similar to the Hammond finish.

[voet]

A lime wash contains calcium carbonate, salt and water and provides protection for the wood. It can be used on any wood and will look different depending on the wood. UV exposure will change the color, which is more noticeable on lightly stained woods. When our maple kitchen cabinets were new, they were very light in color. Over time they have become more yellow. This can be prevented with a clear coat with u v protection. Without that protection, the color will change.

[alpine]

Not fumed oak? I remember making something several hundred years ago in our woodworking class at school. After we'd made our pieces, they were all taken to the chemistry lab and left there in a fume cupboard with some fuming ammonia hydroxide overnight. Bet they wouldn't allow that in schools now!
Here's a page about the technique.

https://www.jordanwoodfloors.co.uk/f...ammonia-fuming