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Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/New dining room table- can I make finish stronger

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Expert: - 8/3/2009


Question
We just bought a new formal dining room table. I am concerned that the finish seems to scratch easily, and wondered if I could go over the factory finish with a stronger finish like a poly, or something like General Arm-R-Seal, or would I need to strip it first? Would it ruin the finish if I just went over it?

Answer
Hi Carla, your new table is probably lacquer,but it could be a newer finish type as well and therefore you cannot use a Urethane over the existing finish without being sure. I would call the company and inquire as to the finish, but most polished, formal table finishes will scratch, and if it's a dark wood, it will show more. Care will have to be taken with it no matter what you put on it. The chances of you being able to do a finish to that quality level however, are remote, unless you have some serious finishing "chops", and some experience with spray equipment as well. Also poly's like Arm-r-seal, only make a mechanical bond between coats, whereas lacquers form a chemical bond, "building" into a single film layer. When doing a block sanded,pore filled, polished, formal finish, this is an important attribute for a finish, and these finishes are a multi step process, that's comprised of several,individual skilled techniques.Hope that helps a little- post back if need be- 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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