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Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/Scratched Blonde Furniture

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Expert: - 4/24/2010


Question
We have some inherited 'blonde' furniture that within the last few years, has been scratched #some are kind of deep#, colored on, painted on #watercolors we think#, etc. by a child.  This furniture came from Milwaukee Furniture Co. in San Francisco.  It doesn't look too have anything but maybe a clear finish.  We would like to clean it up and make it presentable again.  What recommendations do you have?  Thanks for any information/suggestions you can provide.

Answer
When you say 'blonde' is this a completely clear finish, or is it a 'toned' blonde finish that has color in it? It's likely that you may not be able to remove the color depending on the condition of the finish, but you could try a little 'Goof off' solvent cleaner, and then polish the piece with 3M's "One step cleaner wax". This product takes a little elbow grease, but is an excellent product to revive any clear finish in good condition. If these techniques don't provide you with satisfactory results, then likely they will need to be restored or refinished by a Pro, as these are likely lacquer, and will need to be restored using the same finish materials and techniques. Hope that helps- Post back if need be- regards- Greg

http://www.amazon.com/3M-One-Step-Cleaner-Wax/dp/B0009KKTLG

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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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