Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/Solid Maple Furniture

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Expert: - 3/28/2009


Question
Hi Greg,

I have several pieces of 40 to 50 year old solid maple furniture. It's beautiful but filthy. I don't know a lot about finishes so I'll say this somewhat lamely--the finish is shiny (not porous); maybe polyurethane? Needless to say, there is 40 to 50 years worth of dirt and cigarette smoke on these pieces. I've tried Murphy's Oil Soap but it just doesn't do the trick. Can you give me any advice?

Thank you so much,

Janette

Answer
Hi Janette, these are almost certainly finished with lacquer, and if it's in good condition, you can try some mineral spirits, in combination with some 0000 steel wool or white ScotchBrite pads. Work in small sections, rubbing with the grain and drying with clean rags as you go. Watch the rags to gauge what's coming off, and don't overdo the cleaning, only employ the fine steel wool if needed. You can also try a polishing compound like 3M's Finesse it II, which can be found at a good autoparts store. It's a lot of work to rub down a finish like this, but it's usually a good method to employ. The other option is to have a Pro come in and evaluate it with you. These finishes can reach a point where it's not possible to revive them, and in that case, they can be either refinished, or cleaned, wet sanded, and resprayed. Hope that helps- 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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