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Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/italian kitchen finish

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Expert: - 12/18/2011


Question
Hi Greg
We are a custom cabinet shop and do our own finishing, all solvent based.  On a current job, I have been handed an Italian kitchen door sample to match and it has us buffaloed.  The species is rift white oak, the grain is very raised, and it appears to have no finish at all.  I suspect it is a waterborne dead flat catalyzed finish, but the film build is negligible.  Also, the grain raising technique appears to be done as part of the finish.  Certainly not mechanically done like wire brushing.  There are no residual scratches.  Any ideas?
Peter

Answer
Hey Pete, I have seen this type of finish from Europe, and while I think you're correct on the finish ...I don't know the technique for the way they raise the grain like you describe.For a while, Pottery barn was offering furniture with a similar 'grain raised' type of feel,then they paint wash it and clear it with a dead flat as well, (or perhaps it's a colored wax finish of some type)... and I'm wondering if it was achieved by blasting the wood with some type of media after wetting it...like sand blasting, bead blasting, walnut shells...or something like that. Whatever the technique, I know what you're describing, and I sure wish I could shed more light on how it's achieved. The finish is most certainly a catalyzed acrylic urethane, dead flat, or what's called "Antique" flat.......I'm sure that, even if you contacted the maker, they would not be forthcoming as to their techniques. It's a closely guarded secret, I'm certain, as anyone can do a decent finish, but this type of special effect finish is what set's one manufacturer apart from the other.....please keep me posted as to what you find out, though....if you're able to get anywhere with it.....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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