Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/oak staircase

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Expert: - 5/27/2010


Question
QUESTION: We have acquired an old house probably 1890's which we rent.
There is a lot of black grime on the oak staircase & we need to clean it & also refinish it. What do I use? Thankyou.

ANSWER: Hi Heather, it depends on what shape the finish is in...you could start by cleaning it with mineral spirits and some 000 steel wool in a small area and see where that gets you....what shape is it in?

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: The banister rails & spindles just need cleaning...is Murphy's oil soap the best cleaner? The square Newel posts & edges of stairs are black with dirt & the varnish is worn off the top of the posts. There is oak paneling on the walls on the ground floor which I can clean. Once I have cleaned everything can I re-varnish...should I rub everywhere with the steel wool first? The wood itself seems to be in good shape...no deep marks.

Answer
Oil soap leaves residue that can interfere with recoating or refinishing, I would just use mineral spirits and 000 or 0000 steel wool. Varnish of that age can get dark too, so some of what you're seeing may not 'clean' off...it may be the old Varnish breaking down. Any sound areas, though, can be recoated as long as they are cleaned well and scuff sanded lightly to allow better adhesion. Hope that helps- Post back if need be- 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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