Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/Mineral spirits

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Expert: - 1/14/2012


Question
QUESTION: Hi, I would like to know is it ok to wipe down my cabinet doors with mineral spirits, that may have accumulated a little dust on them, after i have already stained them and getting ready to polyuerathane them? Will the mineral spirits wipe the stain off, so to speak? Thank you

ANSWER: Hi Kristin...it could affect the stain...it depends on what stain you have used, how well it dried, etc....it would be better to use a dampened cloth with a little clean water on it....(unless you've used a waterborne stain)....I would vacuum first with a brush attachment, then wipe the surfaces with a clean cloth with a few sprinkles of water on it...not wet..just a little dampened...then right before finishing use a tack rag (available at a hardware store/home center) to pick up any remaining dust.Hope that helps- post back if need be- regards- Greg

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hello again...I used minwax wood finish stain. Also, I had gotten a little ansy and decided to try using the mineral spirits on a few of the cabinet doors before getting your reply and it seemed that as the mineral spirits were drying (evaporating) little white minerals, I guess, were spider webbing out on certain spots on the wood. I am able to scrape most of it off with my fingernail but it was weird little mineral type deposits. Is that because I had too much on my rag? IDK but I have gotten most of it off except in places where I hadn't sanded everything perfectly smooth. So now I have redone those affected by it and restained them too. I was just wondering since I don't really fancy polyurethane, would finishing them with minwax clear aerosol lacquer turn out fine. I just don't want to poly them then sand them and do it all over again. I am done sanding, thats all.

Answer
Hi Kristin, that lacquer will not provide very good protection for kitchen cabinets. The Minwax polyurethane in the aerosol cans would be a better choice, and more durable. Those cans also have a nice spray tip that allows you to get a really professional looking finish as long as your technique is good. It takes a litle practice to get good spraying technique, but it is possible to learn, and sure beats brushing it on. Hope that helps a little- post back if need be- regards- Greg

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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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