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Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/Painting existing stained woodwork
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Question
I would like to paint over existing stained woodwork such as door casings, chair rails, and crown moulding. I would also like to restain existing stained woodwork like window sills and a window seat, only in a different color. What kind of preparation do I need to do to prepare these surfaces? Will I need to remove the old varnish or can I just sand them? Will I need to prime them first?
Hi Sandy, easy to paint over the stained woodwork, just clean it, prime it and paint. The restaining is the problem, as you need to strip the old finish off down to bare wood, as you can't stain over an old finish in almost all situations. Typically, it's not just stain, as well. A good finish will be clear coated with polyurethane or varnish, shellac, etc. It also will depend on what different color you're trying to achieve. Simply going darker in the same, basic shade on a sound, existing finish could be accomplished with a prepped surface and maybe a Gel stain/clear coat, perhaps, but anything other than that will require stripping the old finish off. Sometimes it can be easier to replace the trim with new wood, if it's a simple, stock type of trim, and then finish the new wood. Hope that helps a little- post back if need be- regards- Greg
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| Rating(1-10) | Knowledgeability = 10 | Clarity of Response = 9 | Politeness = 10 |
| Comment | It would have helped to be given the names of specific products that could be used in cleaning the surfaces or removing the varnish. Other than that, this response was extremely helpful and will set me on the track to home improvement. Thanks. | ||
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Answers by Expert:
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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