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Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/refinishing a table top
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Question
I recently purchased a table from a woman who said she had it made from reclaimed lumber from Ireland. It looks like the wood top, which are planks, was varnished in a reddish brown color. A lot of the varnish? is wearing off and peeling off. I really have no idea how to refinish because I am not sure what the finish is. Its not paint or polyurethane - that much I can tell. I use this table as a dining table and would like to take off the old finish and apply a new protective coating. I am unsure what the best way to go about this would be.
Hi Deb, the first step would be to strip the table with a good stripper down to clean bare wood.The finish could be many things, but that won't matter if you remove it. Once you've done that, you can then evaluate it and chart a new course for refinishing it to your liking...post back if need be, if you've never done this type of work, it may be wise to contact a Restorer to evaluate it with you and give you an estimate as well......regards- Greg
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Answers by Expert:
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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