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Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/removing tobacco stains from painted furniture

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Expert: - 4/16/2009


Question
QUESTION: I have a bedroom set from a relative who smoked very heavily.  It is beautiful but has a horrible tobacco stain on it.  The original finish was like an antiqued whitish/blue.  Do you know how I can get the stains out?  Thank you.

ANSWER: Hi Pat, when you say "a" stain, could you elaborate...could this be a burn from a cigarette? Or is the whole piece yellowed and dingy?

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: No burns - nicotine staining.  (years of it)

Answer
You'll have to try removing it with mineral spirits and 0000 steel wool, working in small, overlapping sections. Pour a small amount of the mineral spirits in a bowl, and dip a steel wool pad into it and rub in small circular motions, until you see the tar start to dissolve, and wipe it off as you go with clean rags. This stuff can be like a Varnish when it gets old, so this may not happen easily, it may take some serious work. You need to pay attention as you go, and watch the rags for signs as to whether it's working. Restoring this type of finish takes some care and technique, and it's difficult to advise someone without being there to witness what's going on....and if this staining is that bad, I would seriously consider getting a Pro restorer in to evaluate it with you.Hope that helps- 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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