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Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/varnishing a coffee table

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Expert: - 11/8/2008


Question
I bought an old coffee table and have painted it ivory with a satin latex paint. Then I rubbed a dark walnut wood stain over it to give it an antique look. It was smearing so I used an Old English furniture oil on it to blend the stain so it looked right. It is heavier in the crevices,  grooves, and in the shaded areas, and very light on the top surface. There isn't a lot of stain, but there is enough that it smears if it is rubbed. I need to put a coating on it and I'm not sure what to do. I was thinking of getting a spray varnish. Will the oil prevent it from applying smoothly? I rubbed it with a dry cloth but I don't know if the oil would have absorbed into it. What should I use to varnish it?

Answer
Hi Terrie, the Old English oil is a non drying oil polish, and this was a mistake to add to the staining process. This will keep the stain and any finish you attempt to apply from sticking and ever drying. Unfortunately, you'll need to remove all of the stain and oil completely if you hope to get a clear finish to stick. Antiquing like you tried to do, is a good job for a gel stain, as these have a polyurethane base and really set up well leaving a good base for a clear coat. They're the consistency of pudding, which makes them easy to work with and allows them to stay behind well in moldings, crevices, carvings, etc., and they can be manipulated with "dry" brushing techniques. Wish I had better news, but that oil will screw you up if you leave it, and you'll need to be thorough about removing it. Best of luck- post back if need be- 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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