Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/Nail polish spill

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Expert: - 1/19/2009


Question
My daughter spilled nail polish on our new black painted dining room table. She then proceeded to try to "fix" it by wiping it up with water. The table has a matte finish, but where she spilled and wiped up the polish, it has left a shiny stain. Could you give us advice on how to remove it? We believe that the top of the table is a wood veneer, but aren't sure.

Answer
Hi Denise, I don't hold much hope that you'll be able to repair or remove this damage....the solvents in the nail polish will melt or chemically "burn" the finish on your table, and once that happens, the only way to repair it is have the table resprayed, or refinished. I would call in a pro to evaluate it and give you their thoughts....it's not something a novice could do,typically. A good restorer should offer a free estimate, and if you need a referral, call a long standing, reputable Antique dealer in your area, they'll know who is good....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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