Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/Removing Polyurethane

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Expert: - 5/13/2009


Question
I used a 2 step in 1 polyurethane / stain on my scratched table (small portion).  The color of the stain matches but you can see the shine from the polyurethane on the scratched area (vs. the rest of the table).  Is there a way to reduce or eliminate the shine from the polyurethane without removing the stain?

Answer
Hey Chris, typically you would rub out the table top to blend the area, but in this case that probably will remove the color because of what you used. One has to be sure of what finish you're coating...poly's can't be used over lacquers, and vice versa....are you sure you were putting poly on a poly'd surface? Most factory made furniture is lacquered. Also, typically, touch ups like this are done with a stain and then sealed in with a clear coat, and the clear coat is then blended with the original finish without the risk of cutting into the stain...not sure how to advise you at this point..post back- 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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