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Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/gasoline/fuel smell on dresser imported from India

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Expert: - 4/7/2010


Question
Dear Mr. Scholl:
We recently purchased a dresser that was constructed in India for use in our home. There is a strong fuel-odor from the wood. We have tried to get rid of it by washing down lightly with soapy water, drying in the sun and cleaning with lemon oil. None have completely removed the odor.
Your thoughts and advice are greatly appreciated!
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Rich

Answer
Hi Richard, I have seen this many times, and there's no easy solution. It may actually have been rubbed with used motor oil or fuel oil by someone who thought they knew what they were doing, or even Asphaltum (tar) cut with gasoline. While it has a good color for wood, it is absolutely the wrong thing to apply to any furniture. In many parts of the world, people concoct 'home brews', without the proper knowledge or materials. It also will contaminate the wood with a non drying oil that will interfere with adhesion of any other finish. Lemon oil is mostly white mineral oil, another poor choice to apply....especially on unsealed wood.It doesn't clean really, it mostly shines.....the only sure solution is to strip the piece completely, bottom, back panels, drawers, and refinish the entire piece, starting with a coat or two of dewaxed shellac to seal and increase the bonding strength of the new finish. A big job. If it's that objectionable- (and it is)I would take it back if that's possible.....feel free to post back- regards- Greg

Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks

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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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