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Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/Repair or refinish oak veneer

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Expert: - 8/3/2010


Question
I recently purchased a used curio cabinet made of oak and oak veneer over particle board.  It is a very pretty piece of furniture.  However, there is a dark circular ring on the top where someone placed either a glass of liquid or a wax candle holder.  It has damaged the finish.  It appears someone attempted to sand it a little to no avail.  Is there a way I can successfully remove this dark ring and refinish the top?
I have a little experience in staining and finishing unfinished woods but have never attempted anything like this.  Any help will be much appreciated.

Answer
Hi Mary, it the ring is dark, then it's likely from wetness.Oak discolors with wetness.Oxalic Acid solution would probably remove it without sanding, as sanding is risking cutting through the veneer, but you'll need to strip off the finish with stripper first.When working with a veneered surface, the least amount of sanding the better.....so stripping off the old finish with stripper is the best way to remove all the damaged old finish, and the first step. Get a small jug of Citristrip, and some #2 and #1 steel wool, and a throw away natural bristle brush, and strip the top. Then you have to see where you are with the stain, but the next step would be to mix an Oxalic acid solution with hot water, and using an artist type small brush, paint the solution onto the mark, a few times and see what results you get.......post back if need be- hope that helps a little-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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