Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/woodwork repair

Advertisement

Expert: - 12/28/2008


Question
We just bought a new dresser.  I set a baby bounce seat on top of the dresser and when I later removed the seat from the dresser one of the plastic stoppers on the bootom of the bouncy seat took the finish off the dresser just in that 1 1/2" x 1" little spot.  It didn't affect the stain color, it just removed the finish gloss in that area.  Is this repairable or did I ruin it?  Does the whole piece have to be refinished or can we repair the one area easily?

Answer
Hi Jen, there's no easy way to do an invisible spot repair like this without treating the whole top. This may mean having to recoat the top if it's lacquer, not necessarily stripping and refinishing. The plasticizers in the little foot may have adhered to the lacquer just enough to have popped off the lacquer in that spot. Being that it's probably lacquer, I think it could be repaired fairly easily, unfortunately, it's probably not a job for the novice as some knowledge and skill of lacquering is required, not to mention familiarity with spraying finishes. I would call in a professional to look at it and give you an opinion and a free estimate.You could also play dumb and call the place where you bought it and see if they can offer a solution if it is brand new....hope that helps- post back if need be-regards- Greg

Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

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.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.