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Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/Choice of wood and finishing techniques

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Expert: - 1/21/2009


Question
Dear Greg,
I am looking to do a kitchen remodel by myself (with husband and wood worker friend)  I really would like my cabinets to look similar to my mid century teak and rosewood eames era furniture in tone and grain, but don't wan to use teak as finding doors in teak is impossible.  I am down to lyptus, african mahogany, and dallying with the idea of walnut.  I know I will have to stain lyptus or african mahogany to get the color I would like.  I love pictures I see of 50's era eames walnut furniture, but I believe this finish look is produced by using tung oil.  Do you know what I can use to finish walnut in the easiest way possible to create this look and have it be durable enough to make it a suitable finish for kitchen cabinets.  I would love any advice as to products or techniques to get this look.

Answer
Hi Melissa, I would look at WaterLox, a Tung oil/varnish type product. It applies easily, just like an oil finish, but is more durable. You can also stain with a dye stain before using the WaterLox, or even mix a Dye colorant like TransTint into the oil, but you may need to "temper" the Dye first with a bit of Acetone. WaterLox is available in different sheen levels too....as the Eames was finished with an oil finish that was flat to a satin in sheen. As always, develop your finishing schedule on a scrap piece...completely to the finished look desired, making sure that it dries and looks correct BEFORE committing to the project. Hope that helps- post back if need be- I'll be here- Greg

http://www.homesteadfinishing.com/htdocs/TransTint.htm

http://www.waterlox.com/desktopmodules/fathomecom/catalog/category.aspx?tabid=42...

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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