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Expert: - 11/30/2010


Question
QUESTION: I have an antique oak table, with no finish on it. Today a bottle of scented oil was spilled on it. How do I remove this stain?

Thank you.

Regards,

Linda

ANSWER: Hi Linda, unlikely that it has NO finish.....but what type of stain did it make? Can you post a picture?

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I guess the "finish" is an oil finish. Not sure, just your basic antique oak table, no gloss finish.  Unfortunately, I am unable to send a photo, but the stains were "acquired" from a small bottle of scented oil. One stain resembles the small base of the bottle and the other stain is about half inch wide and one inch long (am assuming the bottle was tipped over on its side, thus leaking some of its contents.

Answer
It may have an oil finish or just a wax finish, or perhaps shellac with wax, all of which are common on an Antique table...in any event, these scented oil concoctions have strong solvents and perfume oils, and are quite capable of melting/removing a finish and/or marking the wood. Without being able to see the table and the damage, it's very difficult to advise you, but I'm assuming you wiped it up and are now left with an area missing the finish, or a color change, and there is no way to repair that spot without addressing the entire top. If you have experience in restoring finishes, then you can venture into this type of repair work, but if you don't, it's really a job for a Pro. It's really easy to make it much worse if you don't know what you're dealing with, or if you have limited knowledge and experience. A Pro may be able to repair it, but if you call one in after you've tried, it may be a much bigger job....hope that helps a little, but without more info or a picture I'm kind of flying blind....post back if need be- regards- Greg

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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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