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Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/refinishing my old woodwork

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Expert: - 3/23/2009


Question
We are putting in new laminate floors and took up all the baseboards to fix all the marks from the carpeting. Some of the baseboard didn't come off in one piece so we need to replace it. How can I duplicate the stain on the baseboard or get close to the darkened look from it being down for 30 years. Its that lovely orange look from orange shellac that aged over time.

thank you

Nettie

Answer
Hi Nettie, that great color comes from years of dirt and the old finish, but it also comes from the way the wood ages, and oxidizes. It's very difficult to replicate. It can be mimicked with staining and glazing, and antiquing, but it's not easy to make a surface look like a true antique, and not something that's easy to teach in a forum like this. If you wanted to keep the original baseboards, you should have removed them carefully and intact, one reason it's important to analyze the situation and plan before doing any demolition on a remodel like this.They can always be removed intact, but it takes some care and planning..if you post a picture, i can try to guide you in right direction.

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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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