Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/Sticky Stain Removal

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Expert: - 5/25/2009


Question
Hi, I recently decided to touch up my wooden kitchen chairs with an English Chestnut stain by Minwax. All 6 had areas that the finish had worn off, especially the top backs, the lower part of the legs and the arms of the captains chairs. There were also spots here and there that needed touch up. Unfortunately I decided to completely cover all areas not realizing there was still some shiny finish left and now some of these spots have remained sticky, because I beleive the stain was not absorbed into the wood. Would appreciate your help to clear up this problem. Thank you, Tony

Answer
Hi Tony, Minwax stains CANNOT be use over ANY existing finish....and it does say so on the can. You'll have to remove as much of it as you can with rags wet with mineral spirits, drying as you go. You'll need to be very thorough, and it will take some time and effort to do so. Restorers use Dye based stains, usually in an alcohol/methanol base to do this type of touch up, then re-lacquer, sometimes utilizing "toning" techniques as well...(colored clearcoats), but if large areas of finish and color are missing, it's probably not a good way to go, anyway. This is the realm of someone with some restoration skills, however.....it's possible to learn these, but the paramount lesson to learn is about types of stains, and what they can or can't be used for...and lesson number one is always read and understand the directions, precautions, etc.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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