	AllExperts > Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks
	Search

About 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.

You are here: Experts > Hobbies > Woodworking > Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks > Painting a built-in dining room hutch

Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks - Painting a built-in dining room hutch

Expert: Greg Scholl - 10/26/2009

Question
Hi Greg,
I recently purchased a house that has a huge built-in hutch which extends from floor to ceiling and covers the width of an entire wall in the dining room. The structure consists of open shelves on the top half and cabinets with doors on the bottom. It is painted a dark federal blue and the surface appears to be semi-gloss.

I want to paint it white. I've read your column about painting wood hutches and you specify to sand the hutch first. However, this hutch already has paint on it. Do I need to sand it before or after I prime it? Also, do you have any tips for painting it? This is my first time painting anything besides canvases.

Thanks so much in advance for your help!

Janet

Answer
Hi Janet, first thing is to wash it with a "scrubber" sponge and some warm water with a few drops of dishwashing detergent in it...and hand dry it as you work across the whole piece. It is a good idea to scuff sand it, yes, using 180-220 grit sandpaper, as this will rough up the surface slightly to give some grip to the primer.Then prime it using a good primer, (I like the Zinsser Bullseye 1-2-3), and in this case I would probably do two coats of primer because of the dark Blue paint. Then apply 2-3 coats of your white paint, and buy the best paint you can...it does make a difference. I use Benjamin Moore paints for almost all this type of thing in an eggshell, Pearl, or Satin finish.Use good quality brushes and those small foam trim rollers, which work very well and leave a smooth surface with proper technique. Attention to detail, good materials and supplies, and good painting technique will result in a Pro looking and wearing job. Hope that helps- regards- Greg

Add to this Answer Ask a Question