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Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/Knots and blackening on pine furniture

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Expert: - 10/13/2010


Question

Pine Dresser Drawer
Hi Greg,
I live in central Oklahoma. Following up on Jeanette's question of 1/26/08, about knots bleeding through on her 15-year-old pine furniture.  My pine bedroom set is 30-years-old, and I've just noticed the same thing on all of the pieces.  Where there were no knots before, many, both large and small, dark brown knots are appearing.  There are also many brown lines, like someone's taken a brown marker to the furniture.  Also, a lot of little brown dots, and these are in the wood and can't be wiped off.  There is also blackening on edges of drawers and in some of the grain.  Sounds weird, I know.  What also concerns me is that it appears that the same type of blackening has gotten on a couple of oak chairs I've got in the room.  Thinking it might be some kind of mold, I've tested the HVAC system, and, although, I haven't had it analyzed yet, only two spores came up in the petri dish.  I'm attaching a photo of one of the drawers. Any help you can provide would be so much appreciated!
Susan  

Answer
Hi Susan, the furniture is covered in a finish, and over time woods like Pine change, they oxidize, darken, (or lighten), and are affected by UV light....they also show buildup of smoke, dirt, grime, etc. Oak turns black if exposed to moisture, dog pee, etc...it's unlikely that mold is the culprit.A 30 year old finish will likely be wearing off or otherwise breaking down to a degree, and this will also allow it to darken around the edges, areas that are handled,cleaned, etc. We call this "patina"....it just looks like the Pine is aging, as it will do....it's the nature of the material. Really old Pine is quite dark, and since it is a pitch wood, with a high sap content, it will change over the years. A good cleaning with some mineral spirits, and clean rags, (and maybe a white ScotchBrite pad), would be the first step. You can also get a commercial cleaner like Formby's Deep Cleaner at most hardware stores. Stay away from oil soaps, lemon oil and such, as they add contaminates to the surface. You want to thoroughly clean the finish, and then paste wax it, or evaluate it further at that point. Hope that helps a little- most of what you're seeing is probably normal wear and age...post back if need be- regards- Greg

http://www.formbys.com/products/buildup_remover.cfm
    Questioner's Rating
    Rating(1-10)Knowledgeability = 10Clarity of Response = 10Politeness = 10
    CommentThank you, Greg, for the timely information. I think you're right about the aged color of the wood starting to show through the finish. Susan


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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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