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Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/staining indoor cedar railings

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Expert: - 11/14/2010


Question

CHALLENGING RAILINGS
Hi Greg! Well, I've sanded and wood filled my indoor red cedar railings both on ledges and railing going up our staircase as well as pieces mounted on walls to complete railings  looking over our living room.
A .I would like to know what product to use that would result in the most natural appearance of the red cedar while giving it protection from hands,water mark,etc.
B. How can I apply it neatly on surfaces already mounted on the walls without dripping and apply evenly?
I look forward to hearing back from you,cheers,Deb

Answer
Hi Deb, what pretty railings...that's a lot of work...I think a good option would be a modified Tung oil finish like Waterlox. The "original" product produces a soft, 'hand rubbed' look, protects well from water marks, and everyday abuse, and down the road, you can reapply it to 'freshen' the look and add more protection.You can even dip some 0000 steel wool or a Scotchbrite pad into it to clean grimy areas and reapply it in one operation, when refreshing the surface. It can be applied with a cloth pad and a small brush around details,or even one of those disposable pad painters.(I like to cut them in half and make two easy to handle applicators)..just take the normal precautions, drop cloths , etc...as it is pretty thin and will drip.. just be sure to apply it as per the directions...THIN coats with 24hrs. dry time between coats. Read about it here:
http://www.waterlox.com/

http://www.waterlox.com/products-item/waterlox-original-penetrating-tung-oil-flo...
Hope that helps- you can buy it at Woodcraft stores or online... Post back if need be- Regards- Greg

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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