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Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/Refinishing a Bathroom Vanity

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Expert: - 3/25/2009


Question
Greg,
Me and my wife recently purchased a bathroom vanity at a yard sale.  The piece has some spots where the finish has worn off and I would like to refinish.  Some of these spots are on wood while others appear to be on some type of plastic veneer just on the routed ends of some parts of the piece.  I was considering cleaning/sanding the entire vanity and then finishing with Minwax PolyShades or GelStain with a protective finish.  Do you think this is a good approach and what should I do about the spots on the veneer? Is there a way to darken the spots so that they blend well with the finish once applied?  Also, what's the best approach to cleaning a piece like this?  Thanks for the help!

Answer
Hi Rich, you can rub the piece down with some mineral spirits and 0000 steel wool, working in small sections and drying with a clean rag as you go. If the piece looks good when wet with the mineral spirits, then that's a good indication that it will restore well. If spots and discolorations are still very visible then it might well need more invasive tactics, like stripping. I would use a gel stain, followed by a coat or two of a urethane, and an exterior product will be more durable in a damp environment like a bathroom.  Stay away from the Polyshades, it's difficult to get pro results with...in my opinion (disclaimer)....post back if need be- Greg

Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks

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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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