Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/Cracked veneer

Advertisement

Expert: - 4/22/2009


Question
Hi Greg. I have a 3 panel dressing that we bought about 8 years ago. It has three full length oval mirrors and painting around them. I thought it was hand painted, but I'm now finding various sized cracks all over the surface. The edges of the cracks have a slight curl which I can feel and press down. I broke off a piece and there seems to be a fuzz on back of the chip. Do you think the finish will hold together if I seal it with a coat of varnish? Or could you suggest other alternatives. Thanks.

Answer
Hi Joe, this sounds like the design is an applique that's seperating from the base coats, or maybe it's done on Gesso...I wouldn't have a recommendation without being able to examine the piece closely, but I can tell you that there's no magic coating you can apply that will instantly bond the thing together for eternity. It's more important to be aware of the relative humidity in the space where it's kept....Heat, and lack of, or swings in, ...humidity, are what does the damage. It's not good for us, either...but especially hard on wood, leather, linens, paper, etc.I would have this evaluated by a Restorer...they should offer that at very little or NO cost.Hope that helps- Greg

Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

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.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.