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Expert: - 5/27/2009


Question
I need to put a very chemicaly resistant clear coating/sealer on laboratory cabinets. What is the best type and is it better to do a DIY application or hire a contractor?

Answer
A catalyzed lacquer or catalyzed Varnish type product is probably a good bet, but these are not DIY finishes. A good cabinet shop should be able to apply this type of finish for you, as it requires good spray equipment, and some serious finishing  knowledge to apply . These aren't totally impervious to concentrated acids, and alkali's but they're about as tough a commercial finish as you can get for a clear coat. They utilize "cross linking" technology like an epoxy, to produce an exceptionally durable, clear coating. Hope that helps- here's a link to Duravar, which is one of those finishes, there are several others on the market.......regards- Greg

http://www.mlcampbell.com/secured/pisheets/C142-%20DURAVAR.pdf

http://www.cabinetware.com/CatalogList.asp?catcode=UPDURAVAR&catdes=ML+Campbell+...

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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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