Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/re painting wood

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Expert: - 1/8/2011


Question
Hi Greg, I just sanded some parts of my son's crib where he had chewed when he was a baby. I painted a small spot with white paint  and I noticed that the part that I painted does not have the same finish as the rest of the crib. It looks rough and dry just like a piece of wood. By the way it is made of poplar.I would like to know how can I make it look the way it was? What are the proper steps when painting wood to make it look nice? What type of paint do I need? I also want to do the door trims in my house since the paint is chipping and there a couple dents in them but I want to have the right tools and techniques before I tackle this job.

Answer
Hi Elsa, furniture like this is likely finished with a catalyzed lacquer or conversion varnish finish. These are super tough, sprayed on, and much more durable and harder than any paint.You won't be able to touch up this type of finish invisibly without the same type of materials, and they're not readily available to the consumer. A gloss or semi-gloss enamel with an artist brush might get you close after filling and smoothing the areas that are damaged. As for trim in the house, a little wood putty, careful sanding (120-180 grit), spot priming (Zinsser Bullseye 1-2-3) and painting with a Satin or eggshell Acrylic Enamel would be the way to go. I like Benjamin Moore paint, (Impervo especially) for wood trim and cabinetry....Proper steps are cleaning and/or lightly 'scuff' sanding, followed by wood filler where needed or other repairs, then sanding, priming, and painting with 2 coats minimum of a high quality paint, using quality brushes designed for the paint you're using, and good technique..Post back if need be, I'm here- 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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