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Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/1940's "mahogny" veneer sprucing up

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Expert: - 9/19/2010


Question
I just bought some old drop leaf tables and  6 lyre back chairs for my new office space.  They have good bones, but have been abused over the years.  What is the easiest way to hide scratches, water marks, worn areas to make the furniture more presentable. The chair seat apolstory is in excellent condition and the seats cn be removed during this process. I live near Lowes and can buy stuff there.  I am a school counslor, not a furniture refinisher.  I have a friend who agreed to help in spare time.  I would appreciate your suggestions.

Answer
Hi Fran, all this stuff is likely lacquered from that era....and there is really no easy way to "spruce it up" with anything you could buy at Lowes.....to restore or repair lacquer finishes, (if they are repairable) takes materials that are compatible with lacquer....and if you're inexperienced and/or not familiar with the techniques, it's hard to guide you from here...There is a line of products from Howards that promises miracles with ease....but I have seen the results many times and they're just ok at best....it might however work for you to get the pieces "rejuvenated" enough to be livable...Home Depot carries some of this line, perhaps Lowes does too...hope that helps a bit....post back if need be- regards- Greg

http://www.amazon.com/Howard-Products-RF4016-Restor-16-Ounces/dp/B000LNSIM8

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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