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Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/Refinishing pine furniture
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Question
Hello, I have 2 pieces of pine furniture, one is a dining room hutch and the other a bar cabinet. They have both been finished with several coats of mineral oil. neither one of them have had verathane applied. Can these pieces be refinished with a stain? and how would we do it? thank you for your advice.
Hey Eric, are these Antiques? Mineral oil is a non drying oil, and should not be used on furniture, especially furniture without a real finish on it. So called "lemon" oil products are really composed mostly of white mineral oil and fragrances, but in a thinner preparation than pure Mineral oil...and it's designed to clean and freshen finished furniture....not unfinished furniture or pieces that just have wax or oil finishes, or ANY case where you're not sure of the finish, like an Antique ,or especially one that might be a valuable Antique.Paste wax is the best thing to apply in these cases. Mineral oil can contaminate the surface and interfere with any other finish one might want to apply,(as will waxes if not removed), as well as soaking into the wood in the worst case scenario....it could also prevent you from be able to stain. Staining, should really only be done at the wood level, BEFORE any sealers or finishes are applied,but if the wood has soaked up mineral oil, stain won't be able to penetrate and 'stain'. Also remember that staining is not a finish...it typically needs to be sealed or finished with a clear coat of some type, or at least a paste wax over it. Some stains are capable of being used over remnants of an old finish, or even a finish in good shape, to restore that surface or affect a color change of some degree, but you need to know what you're using, how to use it properly, and what finish you're working with,and what is compatible with in the given situation, if you hope to be successful and produce a durable, lasting change.There are many different approaches one could take depending on what the answers to those questions turn out to be. Please elaborate on the Pine furniture's finish, and tell me about what type of color change you're envisioning....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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