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Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/refinishing cedar planked wall

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Expert: - 4/14/2010


Question
2 interior walls that are covered in unfinished, cedar planking with knots are discolored, looking every bit the 15 or 20 years old that they are.  They're too expensive to replace.  Can they be stained and sealed with polyurethene?  I saw a photo that looked beautiful.  I have some experience refinishing furniture and painting but have no idea how to tackle this job.  Can you advise?
Thanks,
Marcia

Answer
Hi Marcia, Cedar is so soft that it is difficult to stain. It soaks it up like a sponge and therefore it's difficult to apply evenly with blotching.You may not have to stain it, as just applying a clear finish will likely make it look much better. An oil finish like Watco or WaterLox might be a better solution, they apply easily, and leave a soft non glossy sheen. Watco is also available in colors which would allow you to add a little color without the pitfalls of a separate stain coat.Because it's suspended in the oil finish, it tends to be absorbed in a much more controlled fashion.Hope that helps a little- post back if need be- 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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