I have 12 solid mahogany doors in my house which look for want of a better phrase, 'ginger'.

I would like to lighten them right up, so planning on getting them all dipped to remove the varnish.

What next though? Considering lime wax but don't know how well it will work on mahogany, and then there is just a wash to apply to the wood that will still leave the wood grain.

Has anyone done this? I think it would be a crime to paint them all with gallons of thick white paint.

paul

Danish oil is the way to go. Brings out the grain for a really natural look. Used it myself. Very easy to apply.
Looked it up on google. This gives a good explanation.
http://www.woodnshop.com/Danish_oil.htm
BTW You can get it from any DIY chain.
Good Luck.

Be careful with the dipping, try to get them not to leave them on the vat for too long as the stuff they use can take all the moisture out of the wood and the doors may end up cracking!!
Therefore oiling them would be good as that would put some moisture back!!
Try a patch first though as you may not like the colour!!

If you have to get then dipped pin all the tennons first and go to a reputable dipper, may be more money but worth it. good dippers will do it over two or three dips, that will minimise damage.......it will change the natural wood colour too.
Blow torch, shave hook and some good old elbow grease, u wont beat the results:D


Ed

part of the problem is the grain is quite pronounced, whoever varnished them didn't sand them first, or between coats.

I have some danish oil, as i use it for the kitchen worktops, so I will give that a go on a cupboard door.

I would still like to get the doors to a colour that works with light blue kitchen and pale rooms elsewhere.

Paul

If you want to get a better colour to match the light blue and pale I'd be inclined to stain the doors with some brown stain. Natural mahogany looks quite gingery (like you say) if you just put a lacquer over it raw. If you've got access to a spray gun, mid oak stain, then some clear lacquer over the top (bar top lacquer) would change the look completely. Not really the best wood to match the light colours, but I'd say your best bet would be to go browner, a light coat through a gun of light oak/mid oak stain would change the colour to look better against the blue. Also if you do try this, grain fill the raw mahogany first as the grain on mahogany is a pain for spraying.