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Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/Changing the color on piece of wood furniture

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Expert: - 8/2/2010


Question
QUESTION: I have a piece of wood furniture that I would like to change the color on. It appears to be stained with a varnish finish and I would like to remove the varnish finish and restain the piece of furniture with a darker stain.

ANSWER: Hi Carlos....ok, in most cases that can be done....do you have a question?

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

QUESTION: What is the process? Do i have to remove the varnish and exsisting stain, or can I just restain the piece with the color stain and new varnish?

What do I use to remove the exsisting varnish and stain?

Answer
It's most likely lacquer over stain, and it would need to be chemically stripped with stripper, (or done by a stripping shop), and then lightly sanded, stained, and refinished. If you've never done this type of work, then you'll need to learn about it, and perhaps start with a small piece first, to learn the techniques.There are also many resources available online and at the local libraries, and many communities offer short classes on refinishing furniture through their local community colleges or adult education resources......feel free to 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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