Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/door stripping

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Expert: - 3/16/2010


Question
I had two 1930s varnished doors stripped by a local company. I expected them to be returned stripped back to their original pale colour, but instead they were an unattractive "charred wood" shade of dark brown. It's taken an age to sand them right back to bare wood and some of the veneer on the panels has been damaged as a result.I don't know what chemicals were used in the stripping tank. Is there a way to avoid this darkening effect of professional stripping  in the future? I have six further doors to strip, and had hoped to have this done professionally.

Answer
Hi Dennis, it will depend on what chemicals they are using for stripping, and what method. Tank stripping is harder on the wood, and can impart coloring to the pieces because of the pigments and varnish dissolved in the stripping medium....Caustic Soda striping is also hard on glued veneers, but will typically leave the wood lighter, but rough. A 'flow over' system is probably the best option, but may be more expensive as it's more labor intensive.....it's much better for veneers however.......post back- 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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