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(Snip from above) As for refinishing what you have: First question, this isn't an International model? They had walnut stained wood, IIRC.
The wood used in the older ones was real walnut (or oak, or mahogany) not some other wood stained to look like walnut. (Although I did find one board in ours on the rear roof locker that was oak stained dark) Also, It was not stained, just finished with oil.
As an aside, the veneer on the plywood used in that era actually had some thickness to it, not like the rotary cut nearly transparent veneers found at the box stores today, so it can be sanded down a bit without sanding through the veneer. GOOD plywood is still around, but it requires some legwork to find a supplier. Find a wholesaler to cabinet shops and go there. It cost me about $60 for a 1/4" 4x8 sheet of walnut plywood and about $80 for 3/8". The rest (face frames) are solid walnut. One thing about oil finishes- the will impart an "amber" hue to the wood after a few months or so. At first, the new cabinets I built looked contrasted with the originals, but now they match so well that it's impossible to tell the difference between new and old. If you'd really like to give the woodwork an all out glow, try this- Give the oil finish a month or so to cure and wax it. I like to use Johnson's past wax sold at Lowe's and Ace. (it's for wood, not auto wax) and wax the woodwork with a piece of #0000 steel wool rubbing WITH the grain. Let it dry a few minutes or so and wipe off. Your wood work will feel buttery smooth and have a little depth. It'll help highlight the ribbon grain in mahogany and pop the warm amber tones of walnut. --dave
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