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Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/Rosewood furniture - light haze

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Expert: - 8/8/2009


Question
Greg,

I saw a couple of individuals having the same question regarding cleaning rosewood furniture that developed a light haze. I wonder if they had any luck restoring the finish with products like Old English or any other product or process that was recommended by you or another expert at this website (one was to 1st use a clean cotton towel. place it over the hazy areas and iron it on medium heat without using steam.). The haze area in my dining table is growing over time. Also, what makes the protective coating to break (e.g., cleaning products, water, sun)?.  Thanks for your help.

Answer
Hi Elizabeth, the hazing could be caused by many things, heat, chemicals, or the finish just breaking down from age and repeated cleanings. What do you use on it? This stuff could be finished with an oil finish or lacquer, and while an oil finish is repairable to a degree, lacquer really needs the attention of a Pro Restorer.Putting an iron on a finish is not a good idea, period, and can make it much worse, especially in the case of lacquer...I would take a rag dampened with mineral spirits, and wipe the table down. If all the haze disappears, and the table looks really good when wet with the mineral spirits, then you could likely rejuvenate your furniture with an oil finish like Watco, or waterlox.If the hazy/whitish areas don't completely disappear, then it's likely lacquer, and will need professional attention.Hope that helps a little- post back if need be- 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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