Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/oak mantel

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Expert: - 9/4/2010


Question
Hello Greg, we have a mantel in our living room that was stripped of the paint and is now back to the original oak grain, the way we want it. However, how do we get rid of the residual flecks of paints and the cloudy film left behind? Thank you for any help.

Answer
The only way to get rid of the residue is to keep stripping until it's gone, using a small brass bristle brush to scrub the pores, and finishing off with #2-#3 Steel wool....scrubbing until as clean as you can get it. This still might leave you with colored pores, but they can be filled with a pore filler (colored) or sometimes staining with a Gel stain will help cover them. Gel stains are thick, (the consistency of pudding), in a polyurethane base, so they will fill, color and seal better than a conventional oil stain.I prefer the General line, available at WoodCraft or online.The Gel Urethane Topcoat is also a 'goof proof' way to apply a beautiful finish over the Gel stain...(or in any finishing project) Hope that helps- Post back if need be- regards- Greg

http://www.woodcraft.com/Family/2005555/GENERAL-Gel-Top-Coat-and-Stains.aspx

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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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