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Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/old wooden night stand

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Expert: - 3/7/2011


Question
I have an old wood nightstand and the front and sides are in very good condition.  The is a nice little ropy detail on either side of the front about 4 inches long. My questions is how to recondition the top where there have been drinks set etc.
I THINK i would sand it and either stain it or just put clear urethan but I really dont know as I would never know the type of stain to use. It is fairly natural wood. The top just needs reconditioning.
Thank you

Answer
Hi Wendy, ideally you want to strip the old finish off with stripper, and then sand lightly if needed, unless you have more damage on the top than a little sanding will cure...But you'll have to start with stripping thoroughly, letting that dry, and then evaluate the surface after that dries.You can use a wipe on urethane like Generals great Gel Urethane, and a Gel stain as well if you want/need to stain it. These are pretty fool proof to use to get a good finish...but you do have to have a bit of a feel for the work involved in such a job... what's your DIY background?

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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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