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Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/refinishing cherry and maple Ethan Allen Furniture
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Question
I have had an Ethan Allen maple desk and a Cherry bedroom set for over 10 years. The problem is the top surface on both are scratched and not so pretty just from living. The rest of the furniture is gorgeous, I would like to just refinish the top which appears to have a shellac finish--how do I do this myself?
Thanks
Hi Janelle, your furniture will have a lacquer finish, not shellac...and lacquer is really not something a novice can do easily. It has to be sprayed on, and often there is a toner involved, (a colored lacquer under the clear top coats...). Sometimes the existing finish can be wet sanded and resprayed, but again, this is the realm of the Pro finisher/restorer. One really has to have the technical and color knowledge to do this type of lacquer work. What is your finishing skill level? Have you ever attempted anything like this before?
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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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