Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/repainting chairs

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Expert: - 11/30/2008


Question
I am repainting wooden chairs, which were originally a baked on white finish and were overpainted black. The black chipped very easily and it never looked good, so we have sanded off the paint(s) and now have bare wood. I would like to repaint them black. The chairs get a lot of wear, so I need a choice of paint and technique that will accomplish a nice finish that will hold up well. Any ideas. Thanks.

Answer
Hi Rubye, an enamel is a good choice, either pure Acrylic or oil,(NOT Latex) but I would definitely use a good primer.Tint the primer towards the black, or use a grey primer.You could also spray them with a grey, sandable primer and then something like Krylon, and then a Satin or Semigloss clear coat for the ultimate in durability. I always recommend stripping something like this, and NOT sanding, because you won't alter the definition of the shapes, and also because sanding does NOT remove all the old finish. Even if you think it does, down on the microscopic layer of the wood, the pores will still hold some of the old finish. It's important to start with clean, bare wood when doing a refinish of this magnitude...it's just better, better for adhesion, eveness of the overall finish, etc. There are also epoxy paints in a spray can, but a properly applied conventional finish should be good enough for normal wear and tear. Hope that helps- post back if need be- 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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