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Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/Clean Unfinished Oak Furniture

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Expert: - 10/9/2009


Question
We had a red oak credenza custom made about 25 years ago.  This unit is "unfinished wood".  The only product ever applied was Watco Oil Natural.  Over the years we have neglected the wood and not treated with Watco Oil. The doors show the dirt/oil from opening/closing.  What product should we use to clean/remove all the dirt/oil from many years of use?  What product should we use after the unit is clean?

Answer
Hi Patti, the Watco IS a finish. It contains Tung oil, phenolics, and driers, and is a penetrating oil finish that penetrates and hardens in the wood. You could clean the piece with some mineral spirits and 0000 steel wool, drying with clean rags as you go and then after letting that dry for an hour or so, simply apply more Watco to the piece following the directions on the product. The more coats you apply, (with proper dry time between them), the more protection and gloss level you'll achieve.Typically 3-4 thin coats is the norm, with 24hrs. dry time between coats. Post back if need be- regards- 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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