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Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/wood finish smell
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Question
I recently bought a brand-new wooden cabinet to store things like towels and sheets. Whatever was used to finish the wood smells so strongly that it permeates everything I put in it. I was wondering if you have any ideas on how to get rid of the smell, I have already left it open for quite some time trying to air it out but that doesn't seem to help at all.
Hi Emily, some finishes do smell quite a bit for several months after finishing...especially oil varnishes and some Urethanes. Short of refinishing the piece, there's not too much you can do other than what you're doing. A fabric softener sheet in the piece might tone down the finish smell, but will add it's own note to the smell....sometimes it's the actual wood that smells, I've encountered some imported plywoods used in furniture that smell downright rank. Have you tried contacting the company? I doubt they'll have much of a solution, but might offer some remedy......perhaps an exchange even....hope that helps a little- Regards- Greg
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Answers by Expert:
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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