Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/variaions in finish

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Expert: - 9/5/2011


Question
We have maple cabinets with a white pickle finish there are noticiable color differences what is the acceptable shade differences or should the finish be so close that you don't notice any color variations.

Answer
Hey George, there's really no 'acceptable' standard...especially because as wood ages, it oxidizes, and can change tone and color under the finish, so it can look different after a few years.A pickled finish can help to mask the differences from one plank to another, and methods such as 'toning', where colored clears are sprayed on, are also used to even out the wood differences.But there are degrees of opaqueness, from one finish to another as well... and the species and natural coloration will also be a factor, and can be quite different from one tree to another. Maple can vary from quite 'white' and plain to streaks of brown and tan coloration with figured grain patterns, and it's the cabinet makers job to match up the pieces used for larger panels and critical areas to effect a pleasing outcome.....are they always good at that?...not necessarily.....especially in some larger shops.....

Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks

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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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