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Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/Painting cherry wood furniture

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Expert: - 7/2/2008


Question
I have a dresser and night stands from the early '50 that are made of cherry wood.  I have recently seen where they are painting the furniture off white, black, a soft green, or red color.  Can you tell me how to prep the furniture and what type of paint should I use?
Thank you for any imformation you can give me.
Debbie

Answer
Hi Debbie,  As someone who works with wood, I sure do hate to see its natural beauty covered up with paint but thats the nature of things sometimes.  It is rather simple to paint over wood.  First clean the entire dresser with soap and water, being careful to use the water sparingly and repair any areas that may require it.  Lightly sand down the entire dresser using 150-250 grit excluding the backboard.  Use a good quality enamel primer.  Primer comes in different colors so use a color that is close to the color of your final coat. When buying your paint, decide wether you would prefer a flat or a satin finish(do not use gloss or semi-gloss as it will not look right on furniture. Once the primer has dried, apply your enamel paint, 2 coats should provide good coverage, letting each coat dry between applications. Good Luck with your project and thanks for the question.

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maura macaluso

Expertise

I can answer most questions, regarding, wood sculpture, wood carving, carving tools and accessories and different types of woods.I am not an appraiser of carvings nor an antique dealer.

Experience

I do full design work, custom carving, restoration, fabrication, repair and refinishing. I can take a piece of raw wood and turn it into a work of art and I can help you do the same. I am "the" carving instructor for the new york city parks dept. I am heavily involved in carving on the internet and belong to many, many mail lists which are quite active. I am also an international promoter of woodcarving and am affiliated with many master carvers, notably nora hall, originally from holland, now in the U.S. and kalina pavlova, a bulgarian master carver. I routinely communicate with the top names in professional woodcarving nationally and internationally.

Organizations
the national association of woodcarvers. the woodcarvers of queens NY, the staten island woodcarvers. the northeast woodcarving association. the world wide carving internet list

Publications
chip chats-the national magazine of woodcarving. also at www.carvinginnyc.com

Education/Credentials
Self taught artist and sculptor, 40 years of drawing and painting as a hobby, 5 years of serious woodsculpting. I have my own website and have written a 300 pg book on carving. I have published online tutorials and pictorial projects

Awards and Honors
many first place awards

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