You are here:

Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/Touch Up For Ethan Allen Charcoal Finish

Advertisement

Expert: - 2/1/2011


Question
Hello,

A friend installing equipment for us scratched some of the finish off our new entertainment center. It is the New Country model, in charcoal - which appears to be a distressed satin black.  Ethan Allen tells me it is impossible for the nonprofessional to touch up a small (3/4 by 1/2 inch) area, but I need to do something.  I can't take the unit to a professional, because it is way too big and all the media equipment is already installed.  There must be some technique which, though not perfect, will look better than an uncovered blemish.  I know a felt pen will leave a shiny spot .. a neighbor suggested a black crayon?  Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!  Thank you.

Answer
Hi Lisa, a crayon is also wax...which could contaminate the surface for a proper repair...my best thought from here, without seeing it, is possibly a small flat chisel tip,artists brush (1/4") and some Krylon spray paint in flat or satin black.It's a lacquer based spray, dries fast, and should blend fairly well with their factory finish...it'll set you back maybe $8....take the cap off the spray paint and spray some into the cap,( outside of course..make sure to shake well, at least a full minute)let it sit in the cap for a few minutes to evaporate off some of the solvent and then apply it in full even strokes to the area. Do NOT paint back and forth, just one direction, laying it on in an even coat, single stroke.. carefully matching the exact shape of the damaged area. You could try a sample application in a very small spot somewhere where it won't show,like at the very base in the back, just to see how it dries (sheen and color because there are different blacks), but likely this will be the closest thing you can get easily that will make a decent repair.Often to blend a repair, one would clear coat over the repair, but this is tricky to do, so I would see it looks on it's own...Many restorers will do in home repairs as well...but I would invest the $8 or so just to see how close the Krylon is, (you could also use Rustoleums Universal spray paint)..that's my best advice without seeing it...hope it helps a little.

Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

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.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.