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Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/New Pine Cabinets Uneven Stain Repair

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Expert: - 3/16/2009


Question
Greg
I live on Galveston Bay in Texas.  We are in the rebuilding mode after Ike.  Anyway, I had custom cabinets built in place in my home for the kitchen and bathroom.  My painter came in to stain the cabinets and did not do a good job taping off my shower or new tile floor.  The grout in both places has overspray on them.  That is a different issue.  He sprayed my cabinets and did not wipe them off.  There are places that had the stain heavy and places that are light.  Then there are places that had wood filler that was not sanded back to only show the brad hole.  Is there anything I can do to lighten the color since it was not wiped off?  Is there a way to make the color even.  We used a Sherman Williams oil based stain.

Thanks for your advice in advance
Bill

Answer
Hey Bill, what finish are you using after sTining?...unfortunately it's not really possible to go back and fix these problems after the fact...once the stuff is dry, you'll have to strip it off in order to fix it. Sounds to me like this guy doesn't know much about cabinet finishing...an oil based stain has to be wiped off, and then sealed and clear finished if you hope to have it last for any length of time. Any filling and sanding needs to be completed before any staining or finishing......not sure how to advise you, it sounds like a mess...and he should have to fix it, (if he's capable)......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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