Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/Minwax stainer

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Expert: - 6/3/2009


Question
Hi Greg, I hope you don't get mad at my stupidity... I made a huge huge mistake >.<
I bought some cabinet knobs to install in my kitchen cabinets but they were too pretty to be installed on my old looking cabinets so I bought a can of red mohogamy (Minwax) and stained it on top of the old stain. It's been 5 days but it wont dry. I read some of the very helpful answers you gave to other people and realized what I have to do. I am freaked out because I really like the way it turned out but I know the truth.... I want to cry.... Is there anything I can do to help dry or do I need to wipe it off? I stained about 30 doors (small and large) I was just wondering if there was another way to solve this without wiping them off. Please help!!!!! and Thank you in advance

Answer
Sorry to say that you're right .....you've made a HUGE mistake, and there's no choice but to remove it all....and it may not be easy. You cannot use Minwax stain over an existing finish, (the product directions are clear about that), and your cabinets have a lot more than stain on them...they are likely stained, sealed, and finished with a tough, clear topcoat ( possible catalyzed) that cannot be finished over in this manner. I would get to work immediately to remove the stain with mineral spirits, and maybe some white ScotchBrite pads, and lot's of rags. I'm a bit surprised that you would've gone so far....ALWAYS start with ONE door or drawer front when attempting something like this....take it from start to finished product so you KNOW what the finishing schedule will be to get you the desired result. And especially with Kitchen cabinets, know what you're attempting to do, as these finishes cannot be easily changed as a rule....post back if need be- regards- 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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