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Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/refinish vintage rosewood desk

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Expert: - 2/19/2011


Question
Hi, I inherited (at work) a 1960's era rosewood veneer desk that looks like typical danish design of the period.  The rosewood is bleached and dry.  I would like to restore the desk...myself, if possible.  It does not look like anything was ever done to the desk in terms of wax, another coat of finish, etc.  Can you help guide me as to whether this is something I could do myself?

Answer
Hi Marianne, you could get some Watco Danish oil finish in a Med. Walnut color (usually the best choice for Teak like yours, but there are other colors as well.) and clean the desk well with some mineral spirits and 0000 steel wool. If the surface is rough to the touch, sand lightly but evenly with 220-400 sand paper, (depending on how rough)....until smooth. Than apply 2-3 coats of the Watco, per the directions, allowing each coat to dry at least 24hrs before applying the next.Oil finishes are the easiest of all to apply, just make sure to follow the directions, as they have to be applied, allowed to sit, then wiped off. (the latter coats don't need to sit, they should be applied evenly and thinly with a cloth pad).Please feel free to post back, I'll be here- regards- Greg

http://www.woodcraft.com/Family/2000767/Watco-Penetrating-Danish-Oils.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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