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Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/black wood spot on shelf

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Expert: - 9/23/2009


Question
Hello! I just recently picked up a bookshelf from an antiques store. After my purchase I discovered, on the bottom of the shelf, the wood is black on one corner. I'm not sure if this is mold or mildew or if it could be something else. It's inside the wood (the wood itself is black, not coated with a black substance). If this is mold or mildew should I get rid of it or is there something I can do? Is there a possibility it may be something else? I haven't brought it into my home yet because I'm not sure if it's something that is likely to spread? (black mold?)I really love this piece of furniture so if there's something I can do I'll do it. I just don't want to spread mold or mildew into my home. I really do appreciate your time. Thanks in advance, Lindsey

Answer
Hi Lindsey, is it under the finish? And is it on the very bottom, like it was standing in some water? It's possible that it's discolored from mold or mildew, or iron from nails in the wood, but it's likely that it's not fresh, and also likely that it isn't a hazard of any kind. If it's in an unseen area, you could wash it down with some Lysol solution and a small brush...saturate the area, and then wipe it off carefully and thoroughly. Once dry, you could seal it with a couple of coats of shellac or a waterborne urethane.......hope that helps- post back if need be- regards- Greg

Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks

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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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