Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/Staining old cabinets

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Expert: - 7/29/2009


Question
Hi Greg,
I have old kitchen cabinets that I am refinishing, don't know what kind of wood I am thinking Pine. I have used citristrip and that works great, sanded with 120 sandpaper and then 220. My question is that I am currently using miniwax oilbased stain red mahogany and I am seeing more grain then I want to and it is too dull, Any ideas

Answer
Hey Tim, stain alone will look dull when dry, and typically stain is clear coated for depth and protection/durability. Stripped, clean wood will show the grain very well, and the only way to mask grain is with sealing and toning techniques, which are advanced spray techniques used by the Pros. A typical cabinet finish can have up to 15 individual steps, utilizing, prestain sealers, stains, sealers, toners, and clears. If you post a picture I can probably help you identify the wood, but for your finishing job to be the least bit durable, you'll need to apply a tough, durable clear coat over any stain coats. Regards- Greg

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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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