Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/Furniture Vapors

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Expert: - 11/10/2008


Question
My parents purchased an entertainment center that is emitting vapors.  They have had the unit two months and the vapors are still strong enough to trigger asthma symptoms in my mother.  Is there any type of solvent/barrier that can be applied to finished furniture to mitigate this problem?

Answer
Hi Twila, was this a new piece of furniture? It's possible that it could be the actual building materials as well, as partlcle boards and plywoods can "offgas" as well, as they're constructed from binding agents that can have solvents and other chemicals in them. The offgassing is likely coming most from the parts that AREN'T finished, like the edges of the panels, and any unsealed areas on the bottoms of drawers, back panels, etc. There really is no way to completely seal in the problem without a lot of work, I think you would be better off finding a replacement piece, but post back and give me some particulars about the type and construction of the piece. Regards- Greg

Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks

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Greg Scholl

Expertise

Questions on Woodworking, wood finishing and refinishing of all kinds, repairing furniture and wooden objects, Architectural details, Woodturning, carving, tool usage, product usage, some chemistry as it applies to woodworking and related interests,cabinet making and furniture construction/design, etc. I have experience with all manners of colorants, finishes, paints, stains, dyes, glazes, and coatings, wood species recognition and usage,tool recommendations, blade types and recommendation,techniques and methods for many Woodworking related issues, etc.

Experience

Fine furniture restorer and cabinet maker for over 30 years,serving high end Antique dealers, Interior designers, Collectors in the CT area. Consulting for area Painting/Decorating and Building contractors on non painting issues..(staining, wood prep.,clear finishing, floor restoration and architectural detail restoration and repair, etc.) Sold, built, serviced, setup Home, Industrial, and Commercial stationary woodworking tools for a major tool retailer in CT. for three years, sold hand and power tools , provided knowledge, parts replacement, service, and on site service, Trade show Demo, and training as well.

Publications
Published in Fine Woodworking Magazine (12/97), included on Fine Woodworkings first "Best of Fine Woodworking" CD-ROM (2002) ...("27 year compilation of expert know-how")

Education/Credentials
Art School at Silvermine Guild in Norwalk, CT., 9 year apprenticeship in a European run Cabinet and Restoration shop in CT., various classes on subjects having to do with the field. Seminars from major Tool manufacturers, Skil/Bosch, Delta, Powermatic, Ritter, Porter cable, Milwaukee, Dewalt/B&Decker, Performax.

Past/Present Clients
Many varied clients including work on Martha Stewarts' Westport, CT. show house, many fine Antique dealers and private collectors in and around Fairfield County and in Woodbury, CT. (the Antiques capital of CT.), Golden Age of Trucking Museum, Wilton Historical Society.

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