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Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/exterior door finishes

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Expert: - 11/18/2008


Question
Trying to find an exterior door finish that can be sprayed. Not sure if anyone
makes a good lacquer with UV protectors.

Answer
Hey Bill, first off I wouldn't use lacquer on an exterior door anyway. Secondly, I'm not sure why you'd need to spray, unless you have many doors to do in a short period, but a penetrating oil finish could likely be sprayed on, but would still have to be back brushed to even it out most likely anyway. Spar varnish and Spar urethane varnish are available in aerosols......and because they're oil based products, could also be sprayed in conventional spray systems...I'm a big believer in a brush, however. Brushing actually forces the finish onto and into the wood to a certain extent, and on a weathered surface, I think that's important. Also, you'll have to thin these for spraying, which reduces the amount of solids in each coat, whereas brushing is done without thinning the product. So 3 brush coats will be equal to 5-6 spray coats in cured film thickness, and since varnishes are reliant on only a mechanical bond to each successive coat,the thicker layer of film from a brushed on coat would likely be more durable. Post back if need be- regards- Greg

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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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