AboutGreg 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.
Question I purchased hardwood chairs w/a dark stain last year from
Pottery Barn. They sit in a sunny area and were polished
with lemon oil maybe 8 or 10 times before I discovered that
only a damp cloth was recommended for cleaning. The finish
in the seat and around the seat back is now kind of cloudy
in spots. Even clean hands leave obvious smudges on the
finish. The parts of the chair that do not come in contact
with skin or food (the legs, etc...) are still fine. Do you
have any recommendations?
Thanks so much
Answer Hi Beth, "Lemon Oil", is really a misnomer, and it's really white mineral oil with fragrance oils and other additives...and to apply it 8-10 times over a year is definitely way too much. It could actually have harmed the finish, and it definitely will leave a smeary mess, as it doesn't really dry. You'll have to remove it with mineral spirits and some rags, until it's basically gone.The finish is likely stain and lacquer, and yes, it really shouldn't need more than a soft cloth and some elbow grease, perhaps a damp cloth for food spills, but always hand dried afterward. Then maybe ONCE or twice a YEAR, if you must, they could be waxed with a paste wax or polished with an oil based polish with NO silicones like Guardsman, Weimans, Old English, etc. When waxing or polishing it's very important to wipe off the wax or polish (noun) very well, and then polish(verb) the surface dry. If the finish is actually cloudy, then the lacquer is damaged and they will need restoration of the finish, which will probably mean calling in a Pro. I always tell my clients to get rid of the "lemon" oil and the Pledge, please. Both are actually detrimental to most finishes, and Pledge contains silicones which contaminates the surface for restoring or refinishing. Believe it.....or not. Post back if need be- regards- Greg
