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Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/White furniture repair

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Expert: - 3/14/2010


Question

Furniture stain
We purchased children's furniture from a retailer about 18 months ago.  The furniture is linen white with a high gloss.  We placed a radio on the furniture and within a matter of days a "stain" appeared on the furniture.  I have tried a number of cleaners and tips to remove but have been unable to do.  I don't want to ruin the finish or be in a position to try and match colors or finishs in the repair process.  Do you have any suggestions on what I could use to remove the "stain"?

Answer
Hi Susan, this could be a transfer of the pasticizers from the radios rubber feet into the finish, and you may not be able to remove this...if you've tried "Goo-Gone", and the stains remain, you'll have to try to buff them out with some rubbing compound, and if that doesn't work, you'll need to have it refinished. It's likely a sprayed on Urethane or possibly catalyzed Lacquer and will need to be done by a Professional...it's not really the work of a novice finisher....post back if need be- 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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