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Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/oil stain from air freshner on wood dresser
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Question
I bought one of those oil air fresheners with the wick sticks.
I set it out on my bedroom dresser which by the way is only a few months old and quite grand and is a dark stain finish on it.
My seven year old son picked it up and he says he tilted it and oil dripped down the side and then did not tell me and set it back down. The oil dipped onto the wood and created a ring of sorts and a nice looking moon shape. I cannot see refinishing the entire dresser top...any suggestions to repair this or decrease the prominence or any ideas. I made the mistake of buying such a thing and not thinking the "what if" piece, so I am kicking myself.
Hi Kathy, unfortunately they do contain solvents in the oils, (that makes them evaporate into the air), and the solvents are strong enough to melt the finish. What you have now is a chemical "burn" to the finish (likely a lacquer), and the only thing you could do would be to use a furniture touch up marker to lessen the damage. There's no easy way to repair this, as I think you realize. If the damaged area is raised to the touch, or the finish came off, it would have to be refinished to completely hide the damage. A touch up marker might help a little, and I would suggest you get a small cork coaster, tile, dish, etc., to put the diffuser on, and put it right over the damaged area...there....fixed. Hope that helps- post back if need be- regards- Greg
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Answers by Expert:
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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