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Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/Refinishing a bathroom vanity

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Expert: - 1/2/2009


Question
Hello,  I want to strip and stain our bathroom vanity, but husband is scarred.  He does not think that the cabinet itself is real wood but more a composite of some type, so he does not think that I am able to strip the varnish off and stain it.  The cabinet is not that old, the house was built 11 years ago.  Do you think I will be able to do this project?  What would you recommend?

Answer
Hi Jen, it is possible that the cabinet is a vinyl veneer or similar, and the only real way to tell is to really investigate it thoroughly. It can take a trained eye, but if you study it carefully, you should be able to tell if it's real wood. Simulated wood will have no deep grain or pores, and it will often have a grain pattern that looks more like a photo than  real, natural wood. The best way is usually to look at the back of the cabinet, the edges of the panels. There you'll be able to see what the panels are made of. If it's plywood or real wood, strip away. But if it's particle board or some other funky looking thing, it's probably time to replace it if you're after a new look. Hope that helps a little- 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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